Browse Data and Analysis

On November 13, 2023, Taiwan notified the WTO of a new draft amendment for Sanitation Standards for Contaminants and Toxins in Food (G/SPS/N/TPKM/621). This report contains highlights from the draft as well as a link to the full notification.

On September 26 and September 28, 2023, Taiwan notified the WTO that it was invoking volume-based special safeguards on imports of other chicken cuts and pork belly, respectively.

Since the previous report, Taiwan has granted new approvals for imports of genetically engineered (GE) products for processing, food, and feed use. Taiwan has never permitted domestic production of GE crops or animals.

Taiwan’s MY 2022/23 apple imports were 131,252 MT and are forecast at 130,000 MT for MY 2023/24. The United States remains the largest supplier of apples by volume but the market share of Japan, New Zealand, and Chile are all extremely close behind.

Taiwan aims to expand use of renewable energy to 20 percent by 2025. Developing renewable energy is the most important implementation component to reach the goal and wood pellets is a green energy resource option being considered by Taiwan.

Taiwan imported over a billion dollars of U.S. genetically engineered (GE) crops in 2017, accounting for over a third of total U.S. agricultural exports to the island.

Abundant local fruit harvests drove down fruit prices and reduced demand for apples and other imported fruit in the first half of 2018.

Taiwan has a very dynamic food service industry exemplified by this year’s release of the first Michelin guide for Taipei.

On October 9, Taiwan completed a Simultaneous-Buy and Sell (SBS) tender for 3,000 tons of U.Sorigin rice at $162 per ton for delivery by April 30, 2019.

Taiwan milk consumption continues to grow due to strong liquid milk demand.

Taiwan’s retail food sector is becoming increasingly competitive and chain operators, such as Costco, 7-Eleven, PX Mart, Carrefour, and Wellcome, continue to dominate Taiwan’s food retail market.

On September 27, 2018, Taiwan completed a normal rice tender for 6,000 tons of U.S-origin milled medium/short grain rice at $717.65 per ton for delivery in 2019.