Government takes steps to stabilize cabbage prices following typhoon

Taipei, July 20 (CNA) The Ministry of Agriculture has collaborated with retail chains to establish affordable cabbage sections in stores to stabilize prices and meet consumer demand after Typhoon Danas caused serious damage to farms in central and southern Taiwan last week.

The Agriculture and Food Agency (AFA) under the ministry announced Sunday that from now until July 27, it is collaborating with 1,581 supermarket and hypermarket branches around Taiwan to launch a cabbage promotion zone, where each head of cabbage is priced no more than NT$90 (US$3.06).

In a statement, the AFA said that in response to reduced vegetable supplies in central and southern Taiwan caused by Typhoon Danas and subsequent rainfall, it has collaborated with farmers' organizations to manage refrigerated vegetable inventories and ensure stable market supply.

The agency has also partnered with major retail chains to launch cabbage promotion zones. The promotion will run for 10 days, from July 18 to 27, at 1,581 locations, including PX Mart (1,230 stores), RT-Mart (20 stores), Carrefour (67 hypermarkets and 250 supermarkets), and A.mart (14 stores).

At these locations, cabbages will be priced at no more than NT$90 each, the AFA said.

According to the AFA, the storm primarily affected areas south of Changhua, leaving highland-grown cabbages and facility-grown vegetables in northern Taiwan relatively unaffected.

At present, vegetables such as leafy greens from Taoyuan, highland cabbages, sprouts, root vegetables, and mushrooms can be steadily supplied, the agency said.

Additionally, there is ample cabbage inventory from this year's winter harvest and international shipping remains stable, allowing for continued vegetable imports to supplement domestic demand, it said.

The AFA noted that weather conditions in producing areas have recently stabilized and farmers in affected regions have begun preparing land for replanting. It is expected that supply of leafy greens and gourds will gradually recover starting in early August.