The Council of Agriculture said Thursday that it will introduce subsidies for fruit and fish as exports of both plummet.
China is the market for 95% of Taiwan’s pineapple and sugar-apple exports. It is also the buyer of around 70% of Taiwan’s grouper and fourfinger threadfin catch. But Chinese demand for these products has fallen sharply as China grapples with an outbreak of coronavirus.
The Council of Agriculture says it will subsidize shipping to help fishermen and fruit farmers explore other markets. Council Minister Chen Chi-Chung says the council will hold promotional events in Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, and Japan in an effort to find other outlets.