A shipment of Pingtan's dried red algae recently went across the Taiwan Straits to Taichung as a popular Chinese New Year's product, reported Pingtan's official website on Feb 4.

The 22 containers of product, shipped by the Haixia direct ferry, have a total weight of 440 kilograms and are worth $19,000. This is the first time the ship has transported?dried red algae to Taiwan.

"If the product is popular with Taiwan people, we will export more next year," said Du Yan, assistant to the general manager of Fuzhou Jinfulin Food Company.

The Pingtan waters and Meizhou Island in Fujian province are famous for edible red algae. Known also as "red hair seaweed" by the locals, this species is rich in calcium carbonate and vitamins and is a good cooking ingredient for people along the Fujian coasts.

Only inhabiting peaceful and warm ocean areas, the seaweed has high requirements to grow in marine environments so its output is low. But it is highly popular in Taiwan cuisine.

"Taiwan people love these red seaweeds, so most of our products are exported to Taiwan," Du noted.

The case sets an example for the cross-Straits export of more mainland marine products to Taiwan. The two-hour express route between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan enables the products to remain fresh when they arrive at Taiwan, an advantage for Pingtan aquatic product companies entering the Taiwan market.

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Michael Thai