Typhoon Gaemi swept through Taiwan July 24-25, 2024, causing widespread flooding and damage to agriculture, particularly in the southern part of Taiwan. The estimated loss - in crop, livestock and fish production - exceeds $86 million.
Major crops impacted
Crops have born the brunt of Typhoon Gaemi's wrath, with losses estimated at $58.3 million. The affected area spans 23,060 hectares, with a damage severity of 27%, translating to 6,305 unharvestable hectares. The crops most impacted include bananas, guavas, oranges, bamboo shoots, and pears. These crops were particularly vulnerable due to strong winds and heavy rains, which caused physical damage, waterlogging, and increased risk of fungal infections.
- Bananas: Bananas were severely affected, with a damaged area of 3,211 hectares and a damage severity of 27% equivalent to 868 unharvestable hectares and a financial loss of $8.6 million. Bananas are easily uprooted due to their tall stems and shallow root systems. The strong winds and heavy rains caused many banana plants to snap or become uprooted, and the continuous shaking led to physical damage, downgrading many bananas to lower quality.
- Guavas: Guavas suffered significant damage, with a damaged area of 1,466 hectares and a damage severity of 21% equivalent to 301 unharvestable hectares and a financial loss of $5.1 million. Fruit-bearing guava trees were highly susceptible to the strong winds, which caused extensive fruit drop and branch breakage. The heavy rains also led to waterlogging, further stressing the trees and reducing fruit quality.
- Oranges: Oranges were also heavily impacted, with a damaged area of 1,153 hectares and a damage severity of 35% equivalent to 402 unharvestable hectares and a financial loss of $4.2 million. Strong winds also caused significant fruit drop and branch breakage, while the heavy rains led to waterlogging and increased the risk of fungal infections, further reducing fruit quality.
- Pears: Pears were significantly impacted, with a damaged area of 993 hectares and a damage severity of 15% equivalent to 151 unharvestable hectares and a financial loss of $3.9 million.
Source: apps.fas.usda.gov