More than 160 tons of Taiwan-produced grapefruit are bound for Beijing and Shanghai, China's two largest cities, ready for market before Jan. 1, according to the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

    The purchase was made between the logistics center in Taiwan's Yun Lin County and the All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives in September, said Li Weiyi, the office's spokesman.

    Some Taiwan-grown oranges were also expected to enter mainland markets by February, he said, without giving the amount.

    A Chinese mainland team was sent to Taiwan in September to visit local fruit producing areas and agricultural trade markets. It reached an agreement to purchase some 2,000 tons of fruits, including grapefruits, oranges, bananas and mangos.

    A notice released in April by the State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) said more fruit, vegetables and seafood from Taiwan would be allowed to be sold to the mainland. This was in a bid to help Taiwanese farmers sell their products.

    In 2005, Taiwan exported 3,400 tons of fruit to the mainland, worth 3.22 million U.S. dollars, an increase of 35 percent over 2004.