TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Typhoon Krathon drove vegetable prices to a record high on Tuesday (Oct. 1), with the average transaction price reaching NT$64.4 per kilogram.
In traditional markets, cabbage prices soared to nearly NT$175 per head, while water spinach cost NT$50 per bundle. Previously, Typhoon Gaemi had set a high on Aug. 4 with an average price of NT$57.7 per kilogram.
Deputy Director Yao Chih-wang (姚志旺) of the Agriculture and Food Agency (AFA, 農糧署) told Central News Agency (CNA, 中央社) reporters that the primary reason for the price surge was Typhoon Krathon's arrival. Yao noted that increased purchasing activity and stockpiling led to heightened demand.
Yao also mentioned that post-Typhoon Gaemi replanting efforts faced delays due to afternoon thunderstorms, which extended recovery time and decreased vegetable quality. However, he added that imported cabbage supplemented domestic supplies, with most local cabbage still harvested from high-altitude farms due to limited lowland production.