While the typhoon that ripped through Taiwan over the weekend has done significant damage to the country’s vegetable production, one of the suppliers which traditionally fills post-typhoon demand is unlikely to fit the bill this year.
South Korean vegetables are often shipped in increased volumes to Taiwan following the country’s regular tussles with typhoons, such as last weekend’s Typhoon Fanapi.
But a hot summer in Korea has shortened the country’s own supply, and domestic prices have been boosted as a result.
“Sometimes Taiwan markets needs urgent supplies of Korean vegetables after typhoons,” Tagjung Chang of Korean exporter Green Vil Co told Fruitnet.com.
“`But` Korea will not supply leafy vegetables for a while to Taiwan, because vegetable prices are very strong in Korea now.”
Mr Chang said many Taiwanese importers are asking for suppliers of cabbage and Chinese cabbage from Korea this week, but the prices are too high to make the trade viable.
An unusually hot and wet period in late July to early August cut into Korea’s production, he explained.
“Many leafy vegetables were damaged, and then the production was decreased about 40 per cent compared with a normal season.”
Taiwan’s Council of Agriculture has estimated total agricultural losses at around NT$109.8m (US$3.48m) following last weekend’s typhoon.
