Chinese Atemoya Surge Threatens Taiwan's Market Share

Chinese atemoya growers are rapidly increasing their production, threatening Taiwan's dominance in the market. With advanced cultivation techniques, China's yield now surpasses Taiwan's. Taitung County officials are urging local farmers to diversify and explore new markets to mitigate potential economic impacts.

In a potential shift in the atemoya market, Chinese producers may soon rival the output and quality of Taiwan's farms, particularly threatening those in Taitung County. According to Taitung County Councilor Huang Chih-Wei, Chinese growers have adopted successful Taiwanese techniques and expanded their farming areas, with production now outpacing Taiwan's by three times, noted the Taipei Times.

Taiwan's atemoya, known as pineapple custard apples, are predominantly grown in Taitung County. Exports to China were a major economic driver until imports were halted in 2021 due to pest concerns, though they resumed in 2023 with a 20% tariff, as reported by Taipei Times.

In response to the growing Chinese competition, local officials, like Taitung County Agriculture Department Director Hsu Chia-hao, are advocating for market diversification into Southeast Asia, while still emphasizing Taiwan's superior fruit quality due to favorable growing conditions, according to Taipei Times reports.