TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan will implement stricter standards for dairy products next year as part of a sweeping effort to protect consumers and support domestic farmers, Agriculture Minister Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季) announced on Wednesday (June 11). The new regulation, which takes effect in July 2026, will restrict the use of the term "fresh milk" (鮮乳) exclusively to products that meet specific certification requirements. Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration (食品藥物管理署) had initially published these guidelines on June 3, giving the industry just over a year to comply with the standards.
Agriculture Minister Chen Junne-jih (陳駿季) disclosed that his ministry recently held productive talks with major beverage companies and franchise chain operators across Taiwan. These discussions resulted in industry commitments to increase the use of domestically produced fresh milk in their product offerings. Chen stressed the importance of implementing more rigorous inspection protocols to prevent businesses from blending imported dairy products with local milk and potentially misleading consumers about the origin and quality of dairy ingredients in their beverages.
Chen revealed that numerous beverage outlets and coffee shops throughout Taiwan currently serve what the industry terms "business milk," a product reconstituted from imported Frozen Milk Concentrate (FMC). The island imports between 17,000 and 18,000 tons of this concentrate annually, significantly impacting domestic dairy producers. To counter this trend, the agriculture ministry has developed comprehensive programs to assist local dairy farmers in enhancing the quality of their fresh milk production. The initiative includes targeted support for small-scale farmers, helping them establish distinctive brands and navigate the certification processes necessary to compete in the evolving marketplace.
In a related matter, Chen addressed recent volatility in Taiwan's pork market, noting that prices had declined slightly to approximately NT$98 (about US$3.28) per kilogram, after exceeding NT$100 (about US$3.34) per kilogram in previous days. The agriculture minister attributed these price fluctuations primarily to climate-related factors affecting pig growth rates across Taiwan's farms. Chen reassured the public that his ministry remains committed to implementing measures that would stabilize the market and ensure consumers maintain access to affordable domestically produced pork products. ◼