Trends in the Domestic Agricultural Situation
Agricultural production: In 2014 the total value of agricultural production in Taiwan was, by preliminary estimates, NT$521 billion, an increase of 8.0% over 2013. Farm products rose in value by 9.8%, accounting for 47.4% of total production value, and livestock rose by 10.8%, accounting for 32.4% of total production value, while fisheries products rose by 3.3%, accounting for 20.1% of total production value. Forestry products declined in production value, accounting for 0.1% of the total.
Agricultural trade: In 2014 imports of agro-products had a total value of US$15.6 billion, an increase of 5.5% over 2013. Main imports included grains and processed grain products, oilseeds and oilseed powder, lumber and processed lumber products, as well as soybeans, corn, wheat, and powdered milk. Exports of agro-products were US$5.27 billion, an increase of 3.7% over 2013. Major export items included Phalaenopsis orchids, edamame, fish and processed fish products, and manufactured goods that use leather or down.
Prices of agro-products: In 2014, the wholesale price index for all agro-products (including farm, forestry, fisheries, and animal husbandry products) rose by 4.8% over 2013. This was mainly because of relatively large increases in the price of livestock and livestock products, poultry and poultry products, special-use crops, fish raised by aquaculture, and other seafood products. Breaking the total down, farm products rose in price by 0.2%, forestry products by 7.4%, fisheries products by 4.8%, and livestock products by 14.8%.