Typhoon aftermath: Taiwan’s banana prices hit record high

Taiwan is grappling with soaring banana prices following severe crop damage from multiple typhoons last year. The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) has indicated that prices are unlikely to stabilize until May or June, as farmers work to recover from the impact.

As of Monday, bananas were selling for NT$107.1 (US$3.27) per kilogram at Taipei's First and Second Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Markets — an 84.2% increase compared to NT$58.1 on the same date in 2024, according to the MOA’s Agriculture and Food Agency.

The agency’s director, Yao Chih-wang, attributed the price surge to last year’s storms, which devastated banana plantations in Kaohsiung and Pingtung — Taiwan’s primary banana-growing regions. The typhoon damage left the current harvest nearly non-existent, creating a supply crunch and driving up costs.

Three typhoons made landfall in Taiwan in 2024: Typhoon Gaemi in July, Typhoon Krathon in October, and Typhoon Kong-rey later that month. These storms not only impacted bananas but also disrupted the production of jujubes, wax apples, and guavas, causing similar price hikes.

While banana trees have been replanted, they take nearly a year to bear fruit, Yao explained. Consumers can expect some price relief by the next harvest cycle in May or June. In the meantime, officials suggest opting for citrus fruits as a more affordable alternative.

source: focustaiwan.tw

photo: taiwannews.com.tw