A Historic Dual International Orchid Expos in Taiwan

The 23rd World Orchid Conference (WOC), affectionately dubbed the “Orchid Olympics,” was co-hosted alongside the 20th Taiwan International Orchid Show (TIOS) at the International Conference Center Tainan (ICC Tainan) and the Taiwan Orchid Technology Park in southern Taiwan’s Tainan City. Running from February 24 to March 10, 2024, these landmark dual international orchid expos were organized by the Tainan City Government with sponsorship from the central government of Taiwan.

The two events aim to help Taiwan’s orchid industry go international and create more development opportunities as part of the city’s efforts to promote its agricultural and farm products. Themed “Orchid Together (婆娑之蘭舞動世界),” the dual events featured five pavilions and six zones showcasing Taiwan’s orchid conservation, history, and culture, academic research, and applications in daily life.

According to the statistics released by the organizer, the dual Orchid expos attracted 62 countries to participate, with the number of visitors exceeding 350,000. The total value of export orders for the next 3-5 years can be over NT$11.5 billion (US$383 million), a record high in 20 years.

These remarkable turnouts underscore the universal appeal and significance of orchids as a symbol of beauty and cultural richness and the public’s keen interest in exploring the diverse array of orchid species on display at the expos. In addition, the influx of export orders signifies the global recognition of Taiwan’s expertise in orchid cultivation. It underscores the country’s position as a leading player in the international floral market.

本屆(世界蘭展，台灣蘭花精銳盡出參賫的蘭花超過1,500棵，總冠軍由俗稱「佳佳樂」狐貍尾蘭Rhy. Chorchalood獲得，繼承了母體Rhy. giganeta的大花特性及父本Rhy. retusa的長花序，花序長且排列形態優美。由得獎花植株高大壯觀，30梗花如流雲飛瀑般傾瀉而下，氣勢磅礡，獲總冠軍實至名歸。

今年共有62個國家參加，最大的亮點之一就是用奈米噴染的方式，將世界各國的國旗呈現在蘭花上，並設立美麗的國旗牆。國旗蘭花牆不僅展現了台灣蘭花的豐富生命力，更展示台灣蘭花產業的科技力。

全球每6株蘭花就有一株來自台南的。今年蘭花雙展吸引62國參展，參觀人數突破35萬人次，以及未來3年至5年外銷訂單總額逾新台幣115億元，創20年新高。