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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 MY 2023 fluid milk production is forecast to increase to 465,000 MT. During the supply chain disruptions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, milk imports declined by 17 percent in MY 2021, pushing local producers to exceed production expectations to meet high demand.

Taiwan is the United States' sixth largest export market for food and agricultural products. With the highest GDP per capita in Eastern Asia, the island imported over US $30 million of coffee from the US in 2021.

Taiwan’s GDP per capita is expected to surpass Japan and Korea, making its consumers with the strongest spending power in Eastern Asia. At the same time, demand for international sweets and snacks are growing as consumers compensate for not being able to travel abroad. ATO-Taipei conducted retail research on popular products and origins to show market opportunities and preferences.

Taiwan is the seventh-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports. Taiwan has vibrant urban communities and a highly developed e-commerce industry that provides convenience for customers, all which support Taiwan’s continued demand for safe and high-quality food products. In addition, evolving consumption trends suggest customers are increasingly looking for western-style food options that cannot be locally sourced. Since domestic food production alone cannot match increased food demand, agricultural imports will continue to play an important role in Taiwan’s retail food economy. While trade barriers exist and competition intensifies, opportunities to increase U.S. agricultural exports remain promising.

On September 15, 2022, Taiwan announced the extension of tariff and tax exemptions for several agricultural commodities till the end of 2022. The tariff on beef and selective butter products and milk powder is reduced by 50 percent, the tariff on wheat and the business tax on imported corn, soybeans and wheat are waived. These measures have been in place since December 2021.