Taidong Navel oranges enjoyed an abundant harvest this year. However, the oranges need colder weather to achieve their characteristic sweetness. Farmers have decided to wait ten days longer than usual before they begin the harvest.
Navel oranges are seen as "nobility" in the Taiwanese fruit industry, but their plantation conditions are very demanding. They require winter cold and moist air blown in from the sea. They also require pollination when summer turns to autumn, when the risk of typhoons is great. The typhoons did little damage this year, which is why the production volume increased. The production volume exceeded 250 thousand kg, which is almost 100 thousand kg more than last year. Of that volume almost 70% is already pre-ordered. While the sales volume slightly increased, the price remained at the same level as last year, which is 80 New Taiwan Dollar [2.59 USD].
Data from the Agricultural Food Agency shows that Taiwan has more than 10 kinds of orange with a production season that begins in August and continues until March in the subsequent year. A different type of orange enters the market every month. Farmers managed to delay the market entrance of navel oranges until the end of the month, but even though the harvest is relatively abundant, Navel oranges are still sold in small volumes at high prices. They are not likely to encounter unmarketable conditions.
Source: news.pts.org.tw