The Hsinchu Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA Hsinchu) has continued to promote the conservation, restoration, and application of the Critically Endangered Citrus taiwanica, a plant endemic to Taiwan. The FANCA Hsinchu, in collaboration with its long-term partners, jam brand “Keya Jam” and the Miaoli County Saisiyat Indigenous Peoples Forestry and Worker Limited Liability Cooperative (Saisiyat Forestry Cooperative), participated in “The World’s Original Marmalade Awards” in the UK under a “Government × Industry × Tribe” joint collaborative format this year (2026). They won five gold and eight silver awards, achieving the strongest results ever recorded for Citrus taiwanica marmelade at the awards. This demonstrates the great potential of native Taiwanese plants to shine on the international stage and highlights Taiwan’s achievements in promoting biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.
The FANCA Hsinchu indicated that the Citrus taiwanica is a citrus plant endemic to Taiwan and was once listed as a Critically Endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In the past, due to habitat loss from development and its usefulness not being recognized, Citrus taiwanica almost went extinct in the wild, with only a few stock trees remaining. Since 2021, the FANCA Hsinchu has been promoting the “Return of the Citrus taiwanica ” restoration project. Starting with specimen collection from the stock trees and the cultivation of saplings, the project has gradually overcome technical bottlenecks such as pests and diseases as well as slow growth. The FANCA Hsinchu has also joined hands with the Saisiyat communities to restore and plant the citrus in their native habitat. To date, nearly 3,000 saplings have been grown, gradually rebuilding the population and restoring the plant’s ecological and cultural value. Through local participation mechanisms, it has strengthened conservation achievements and social connections.
The FANCA Hsinchu further pointed out that this accomplishment also aligns with the goals outlined in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to promote the sustainable use of biodiversity resources. The Citrus taiwanica restoration system has moved from the seed conservation stage to a critical turning point in application and development. In the past, the fruits used in international awards relied mainly on harvesting from a few stock trees, resulting in limited quantity and a single source. This year marks the first time that fruit trees cultivated and restored by the Saisiyat communities over the years have yielded a stable harvest. The tribal communities independently harvested the fruits for processing, demonstrating that significant progress has been made in the cultivation management and quality stability of Citrus taiwanica. This means that they can now gradually meet the conditions for industrial applications. This also aligns with the international trend of emphasizing local participation and sustainable use.
Ken Chih You, a Saisiyat tribal elder, proudly stated, “The Saisiyat people call the Citrus taiwanica ‘Kata’iyok,’ and it is a flavor passed down from our ancestors. Over the past few years, we’ve all worked together to plant it back in the mountains, watching the fruit trees grow year by year. This year, we’re finally able to harvest the fruit and even bring it to the world stage. For us, this is more than just winning an award, it is also an accomplishment brought about through the co-management of the forest. Not only have we revived Saisiyat culture and let the world see ‘Kata’iyok’, this endeavor is also driving the social and economic development of the tribal communities.”
In terms of product development, the core direction is to incorporate modern technology with traditional culture. The award-winning marmalades made by Keya Jam used the Citrus taiwanica as the main ingredient, and extended across a variety of flavor combinations such as pure citrus, honey, maqaw mountain pepper, and orange blossom. The international judges lavished praise on the color, gelling texture, and flavor profile of the marmalade entries. Among them, the “Honey Citrus taiwanica ” was lauded for its harmonious flavor and delicate, lingering finishing note. The combination of maqaw mountain pepper and Citrus taiwanica showcased a rare and innovative fusion of citrus and spices. The “Pure Citrus taiwanica ” won the judges’ attention with its fresh and distinctive flavor, fully demonstrating the uniqueness and international competitiveness of Taiwan’s native citrus.
Ke Ya, the brand manager of “Keya Jam,” stated, “From initially using only a small amount of fruit from the stock trees to seeing stable fruit production in the tribal orchards this year, we have seen the flavors of the Citrus taiwanica becoming even more pronounced and complete. Its pectin and thick skin make it ideal for making marmalades, and also allow for a lot of room for different flavor combinations. This time, we brought a diversity of flavors to enter the awards. It was not just about creating products, but also about presenting a citrus flavor profile exclusive to Taiwan.”
The FANCA Hsinchu further explained that the Citrus taiwanica produced through the manual cultivation and management by the tribal communities have excellent quality in terms of fruit shape, peel aroma, and natural pectin, which helps to improve processing quality and flavor stability. The FANCA Hsinchu has also continued its collaboration with Professor Lin Shu-Yen of the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, National Taiwan University, to promote the establishment of sustainable cultivation techniques for Citrus taiwanica and assessment of their safe and healthy applications, as to systematically strengthen the foundation for the citrus’s cultivation management model and application development. The results of these international awards not only validated the effectiveness of the restoration strategy, but also demonstrated that native plant species, under the premise of conservation, have the potential to be transformed into local specialty industries, gradually aligning with the international trend of sustainable development and nature-based solutions (NbS).
Looking ahead, the FANCA Hsinchu stated that with the gradual expansion of tribal cultivation areas and continuous improvement of management techniques, the yield of Citrus taiwanica has the potential to increase year by year. However, there is still a need for careful assessment in light of climate conditions and environmental changes. The FANCA Hsinchu will continue to guide tribal communities to strengthen their cultivation management and risk management capabilities, as well as promote processing applications and market expansion to gradually improve supply stability and move towards sustainable utilization that serves conservation value and industrial development.
The FANCA Hsinchu pointed out that the Convention on Biological Diversity is an important indicator for global nature conservation. The Citrus taiwanica has made a memorable journey to recovery, from being on the brink of extinction to returning to the mountains and forests, and then to taking its place on the international stage through sustainable use. Not only does this symbolize a milestone achievement for Taiwan’s native plant conservation work, but also reflects the diverse collaborations formed through public-private partnerships and tribal participation. In the future, we will continue to deepen the application of the restoration results, so that “Kata’iyok,” carrying the cultural memory of the Saisiyat people, can gradually enter the lives of the public and become an important natural asset for Taiwan’s exchanges with the world.
Home
Taiwan High Speed Rail