Wholesale prices of leafy vegetables in Taipei have risen 64% in comparison to what they were before Tropical Storm Talim, as a result of agricultural shortages.
In Taipei fruit and vegetable markets, leafy vegetable prices averaged NT$24.7 (US$0.82) per kilogram on Friday, up from NT$22.9 on the previous day and NT$15.1 on June 8, before the onset of heavy rain around the island.
The price of cabbages grew 29 percent to NT$17.2 per kg from the NT$13.4 per kg recorded on June 8, and rose 9.7 percent from Thursday's level. Chinese cabbage prices surged by 27 percent to NT$16.6 per kg from NT$13.1 on June 8. The growth rate, however, fell by 30 percent from Thursday.
Agriculture and Food Agency Director Li Tsang-lang said recent releases of refrigerated vegetables will continue in an effort to maintain stable vegetable prices.
The storm has not just meant rising prices, but also diminishing supplies.
"There are no sweet potatoes to harvest because the vegetable has been ruined by the rain," complained a farmer in Pingtung County, southern Taiwan.
Some 23,642 hectares of farmland, 17 percent of the total throughout the country, suffered damage from the storm.
Agriculture officials said the government has activated aid programs that will offer subsidies and low-interest loans to farmers who suffered losses as a result of the heavy rain.
