China's E-commerce Platforms Allegedly Selling Japan's New 'Red Princess' Citrus
Quick Look
- China's e-commerce platforms are reportedly selling "Red Princess" citrus, a new premium variety developed by Japan's Ehime Prefecture.
- This alleged sale raises concerns about intellectual property theft, similar to the "Shine Muscat" grape incident, and will test Japan's new seedling protection laws.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Japan has faced significant losses due to the unauthorized outflow of high-value fruit varieties, such as the 'Shine Muscat' grape, to China. This led to the revision of the Seedling Law in 2020 to strengthen protection measures. The 'Red Princess' citrus is a new premium variety developed by Ehime Prefecture, with official sales planned for spring 2025.
日本愛媛縣最新開發的高級柑橘品種「紅公主」,去年春季才出現在市面上販售。(圖擷取自えひめ愛フード推進機構)
〔財經頻道/綜合報導〕日本高級水果品種外流爭議再起!日本媒體報導,中國電商平台疑似出現標示為日本愛媛縣最新開發的高級柑橘品種「紅公主」(紅プリンセス),引發外界關注是否再度發生品種外流問題。
日本研發出來的高檔葡萄品種「晴王麝香」(Shine Muscat),由於果實碩大、肉質甜香,深受消費者喜愛,但其種苗卻流入中國,造成嚴重損失,此事被認為是促使日本政府於2020年修正《種苗法》,限制苗木等外流的原因之一。
然而近期日本媒體《每日新聞》卻發現,愛媛縣歷時約20年開發、並於2025年春季才開始正式販售的高級柑橘「紅公主」(品種名:愛媛果試第48號),今年4月疑似出現在中國大型電商平台淘寶上販售,賣家將商品標示為「愛媛48號・紅公主」,似乎和愛媛縣的「紅公主」為同一品種。
該媒體記者在實際購買後,透過聊天詢問賣家「這是愛媛48號嗎」,對方聲稱該品種「確實為愛媛48號,是幾年前出現的新品種」,並表示苗木在中國四川省培育,目前「愛媛48號」相關品種也正在申請中國品種登錄,但尚未完成。
該媒體記者所購買的「紅公主」確實口感香甜,帶有高級水果的風味。賣方也在聊天中建議:「比起用手剝,使用刀切開食用會更好吃。」
不過,日本農林水產省相關人士指出,僅從外觀難以判定是否為正宗「紅公主」品種,真偽仍難以確認。
值得注意的是,中國境內電商平台上也出現大量標示為「紅公主」苗木的商品流通,甚至有中國方面文件顯示「紅公主」苗木疑似已流入四川省。
報導指出,從「晴王麝香葡萄」的教訓來看,日本政府及包括愛媛縣在內的果樹產地縣市,已採取各種對策,相關防堵措施主要分為「防止品種外流」與「保護育種權利」兩大方向。若此次「紅公主」確實發生外流,將成為檢驗日本種苗保護制度成效的重要案例。
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What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Japan will launch a formal investigation into the alleged outflow of 'Red Princess' citrus.
Very likely · Within weeks
China may face international pressure to address intellectual property rights violations in its agricultural sector.
Likely · Within months
Further measures may be implemented to prevent the outflow of Japanese plant varieties.
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- Was the 'Red Princess' citrus sold on Chinese platforms indeed the genuine Japanese variety?
- How did the seedlings of 'Red Princess' citrus allegedly enter China?
- What is the extent of the cultivation and sale of 'Red Princess' citrus in China?
- What legal recourse does Japan have in this situation?





