Browse Data and Analysis

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. In 2023, Taiwan imported close to $930 million of U.S. crops including soybeans, corn, and cotton, accounting for 25 percent of total U.S. agricultural exports to the island.

Taiwan imports over 135,000 MT apples annually with domestic supply less than one percent. Post expects that MY 2024/2025 Taiwan apple imports will return to 145,000 MT with domestic supply stable at 1250 MT.

Starting in 2025, Taiwan will eliminate tariffs on liquid milk imports from New Zealand. Taiwan dairy farmers are worried about the future, as the primary dairy product in Taiwan is fresh milk, with only a small portion used for other dairy beverages or products.

Retail food channels in Taiwan include convenience stores, supermarkets, and hypermarkets, which generated more than $25 billion in sales in 2023. The United States remains the leading supplier of consumer-oriented food and agricultural products to Taiwan.

Typhoon Gaemi swept through Taiwan July 24-25, 2024, causing widespread flooding and damage to agriculture particularly in Southern part of Taiwan. The estimated loss - in crop, livestock and fish production - exceeds $86 million.

Taiwan is a mature market for U.S. fruits. Among stone fruits, Taiwan produces peaches domestically but does not produce nectarines or cherries. Fruit consumption in Taiwan remains consistent, with stable demand for cherries.

Taiwan issued a new WTO notification (G/TBT/N/TPKM/541) on June 7, 2024, amending the labeling regulations for liquid milk, which will mainly impact the nomenclature of liquid milk from the United States. Currently, liquid milk from the United States can be labeled as "fresh milk" if it complies with CNS regulation.

Taiwan is highly dependent on agricultural imports due to its insufficient farmland. In 2023, it imported $3.66 billion of food and agricultural products, making it US' eighth largest trading partner in agricultural goods. This extraordinary amount is achieved also because Taiwan has one of the highest disposable incomes in north Asia, and consumers generally have positive impressions of U.S. food and beverage products.

Since Taiwan’s economy started taking off in the 1980s, larger disposable incomes have led Taiwan consumers to gradually demand diversification and broader options for their daily diets.

ATO Taipei, in partnership with thirteen Taiwan craft beer breweries and four U.S. craft beer importers, delivered a successful consumer-facing craft beer festival that promoted U.S. ingredients through 84 craft beers.

Taiwan's overall seafood imports declined to US$1.9 billion in 2023, down 11 percent from 2022. Seafood exports from the United States, however, grew by 40 percent, and amounted to nearly US$45 million. Among the top ten foreign suppliers, the United States is the only one that expanded exports.

In Taiwan, chocolate is one of the major categories in the sweets department. In 2023, the market imported $141 million worth of chocolate and related products, among which $29 million are from the US, making it Taiwan’s biggest chocolate supplier.