The Agriculture and Food Agency has warned that cabbage cultivation in Taiwan is approaching oversupply levels and has urged farmers to reduce planting or switch to alternative crops to avoid a sharp price drop.
The agency reported that cabbage seedling numbers have exceeded 5.8 million nationwide for 40 consecutive days. When planting surpasses 6 million seedlings, it is considered overplanting. In September alone, one supplier sold 5.87 million seedlings, which was 9% higher than the three-year average for the same month.
Farmers had expanded planting after cabbage prices reached NT$300 (US$9.30) per head late last year, a situation compounded by reduced rainfall in August and September. However, oversupply in the second half of last year led to a price decline to NT$6.2 (US$0.19) per kilogram. In response, some farmers left crops unharvested or allowed direct sales to the public to reduce costs.
Cabbage production in Taiwan is usually concentrated in highland areas in central regions between April and October, before shifting to lowland areas from November to March. The agency noted that warmer autumn conditions have extended the highland season, creating overlap with lowland harvests and adding to overall supply.
To help producers monitor planting activity, the agency releases updates every 10 days on vegetable volumes and provides monthly reports to guide planting plans and reduce the risk of steep price declines.
Source: Taiwan News
