Taiwan’s duck-breeding industry has a history of three hundred years. In earlier years the scale of operations of duck cultivators was limited, averaging 200 to 300 birds per enterprise. Beginning in the 1980s, as a result of improvements in artificial insemination techniques great strides have been made in improving breeding strains, and production of ducks raised for meat has been made more efficient. This has been accompanied by advances in feed nutrition. The systematic series of advances that have been fostered by the Executive Yuan’s Council of Agriculture, research organizations, and other industry-related bodies over this long period of progress has given rise to a field of fully enterprized modern local breeders.

The steady professionalization seen in Taiwan’s duck-breeding industry includes perfection of slaughtering facilities and marked improvement in facility sanitation and comfort. Public approbation has also come with the COA’s strict policies regarding disease prevention and drug-use control, individual inspection of each animal at time of slaughter by government-accredited veterinarians, rapid cooling to under 7°C after slaughter, and the production of duck meat high in protein and low in calories and cholesterol. Taiwan enjoys a solid reputation for duck of the highest quality and tastiness, and export orders keep surging without cease. With the “production and marketing resume” each stage in the history of the product is meticulously recorded for transparent review, ensuring superb taste while making clear the use of optimal safety and hygiene standards at all stages. The result is a stellar international reputation for a premium product. In 2007 Taiwan’s duck exports weighed in at 6,191 metric tons, with an export value surpassing US$20 million. Japan is the main market, with other Asian markets opening ever wider. While the knowledgeable palates of Taiwan’s people have long been enamored with the premium home-grown product, the island’s duck is now systematically conquering the hearts and palates of overseas lands as well!