Browse Data and Analysis

Taiwan MY 2023 fluid milk production is forecast to increase to 465,000 MT. During the supply chain disruptions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, milk imports declined by 17 percent in MY 2021, pushing local producers to exceed production expectations to meet high demand.

Taiwan is the United States' sixth largest export market for food and agricultural products. With the highest GDP per capita in Eastern Asia, the island imported over US $30 million of coffee from the US in 2021.

Taiwan’s GDP per capita is expected to surpass Japan and Korea, making its consumers with the strongest spending power in Eastern Asia. At the same time, demand for international sweets and snacks are growing as consumers compensate for not being able to travel abroad. ATO-Taipei conducted retail research on popular products and origins to show market opportunities and preferences.

Taiwan is the seventh-largest market for U.S. agricultural exports. Taiwan has vibrant urban communities and a highly developed e-commerce industry that provides convenience for customers, all which support Taiwan’s continued demand for safe and high-quality food products. In addition, evolving consumption trends suggest customers are increasingly looking for western-style food options that cannot be locally sourced. Since domestic food production alone cannot match increased food demand, agricultural imports will continue to play an important role in Taiwan’s retail food economy. While trade barriers exist and competition intensifies, opportunities to increase U.S. agricultural exports remain promising.

On September 15, 2022, Taiwan announced the extension of tariff and tax exemptions for several agricultural commodities till the end of 2022. The tariff on beef and selective butter products and milk powder is reduced by 50 percent, the tariff on wheat and the business tax on imported corn, soybeans and wheat are waived. These measures have been in place since December 2021.

Taiwan’s beer market increased to 517 million liters (137 million gallons) in 2013.

Even though Taiwan’s food processing and ingredients industries are extremely competitive, there are still great opportunities for U.S. exporters.

With November trade reports, 2014 is confirmed as another record year for U.S. beef exports to Taiwan, valued at over USD $269 million.

Eighty-eight percent, 28,884 MT, of Taiwan’s 2014 U.S. rice Country Specific Quota (CSQ) under normal tender is yet to be complete.

Taiwan’s retail food sector is becoming increasingly competitive, and foreign operators (Costco, 7-11, Carrefour and Wellcome) continue to dominate Taiwan’s food retail market.

Taiwan authorities recently lifted a ban on U.S. long grain rice, in place since 2006.

A recent wine tasting in Taiwan hosted by the California Wine Institute not only successfully attracted 369 trade contacts but also created an additional $2.87 million in sales for California wines.