Taiwan's Atemoya Farmers Face Growing Chinese Competition

Chinese atemoya growers may soon match Taiwan's quality, threatening Taitung's exports. Using Taitung's techniques, China's production already triples Taiwan's. As quality improves, Taiwan's farmers urge diversification to Southeast Asia. Taitung still cultivates premium atemoya, crucial to local economy despite a recent 20% tariff.

Chinese atemoya farmers are rapidly approaching the yield and quality standards set by their Taiwanese counterparts, with significant implications for Taitung County's economy. Taitung County is renowned for producing approximately 90% of Taiwan's atemoya, commonly known as pineapple custard apples, most of which are exported to China.

China's adoption of Taitung's farming techniques across Hainan, Yunnan, Guangxi, and Guangdong provinces has led to production levels now significantly surpassing those of Taiwan, as reported by the Taipei Times. This surge in Chinese production, aided by a larger farming area, could potentially overshadow Taiwan's leading producers within two years, warned Taitung County Councilor Huang Chih-Wei.

Despite the challenges, Taitung continues to produce high-quality atemoya, termed 'green gold' due to its economic importance, with cultivation covering over 2,000 hectares. The local government, aware of China's competitive rise, is exploring new markets in Southeast Asia to sustain economic stability, according to Taitung County Agriculture Department Director Hsu Chia-hao.

(With inputs from agencies.)