HUALIEN (TVBS News) — Chang Te-chi, the secretary-general of the Ji-an Township Farmers' Association stated on Wednesday (April 24) that the recent earthquake in Hualien has increased transportation costs of fruits and vegetables.
Chang said that previously, trucks would transport goods to the Taipei Agricultural Products Marketing Corporation for four to six hours. Now, they must travel south, extending the trip to 12 hours. This extended travel time has led to frost damage to the produce, reducing its shelf life by half and making it less appealing to buyers.
The price of fruits and vegetables has stayed constant due to government advertising and widespread concern, leaving Chang concerned that if the Suhua Highway continues to close, expenses will go up.
Chen Shu-wen, director of the Agriculture Development Department of the Hualien County Government, noted that transportation costs have risen from NT$2.9 per kilogram to NT$4.9. The Ministry of Agriculture subsidizes NT$1.3 of the increase, with the county government covering an additional NT$0.7. Labor costs have also increased, from approximately NT$ 470,000 daily to about NT$800,000.
Lu Chuan-li, deputy general manager of the Taipei Agricultural Products Marketing Corporation, said that Hualien vegetables are now transported by trucks passing through Taitung and then Kaohsiung before reaching Taipei, doubling the transportation costs compared to pre-earthquake levels.
The Agriculture Development Department added that refrigerated trucks cannot be used on ships or trains due to volume and weight restrictions, leaving only the southern route available.
As the southern route is now the only choice, the government and the farmer's association must give careful thought to the issue to devise corresponding measures to resolve the problem.