Minister Kung Ming-hsin: Coordinating Supply Channels for Plastic Bag Shortages in Chiayi and Other Commercial Districts
Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin announced measures to address plastic bag shortages in areas like Chiayi, emphasizing coordination of supply channels. Domestic polyethylene supply has increased to 27,500 tons, exceeding demand, with no overall material shortage. International oil prices have fallen from over $100 to over $90 per barrel due to easing Middle East tensions, reducing cost pressure on CPC Corporation. The Executive Yuan has initiated three major measures—financing, budget allocation, and capital increase—to support CPC's investment and financial needs. Electricity prices are confirmed until September, with future assessments considering price stability and Taipower's financial capacity.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 8, 2026 at 10:56
- 🔍 Collected: April 8, 2026 at 12:00 (1h 4m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 19:23 (175h 22m after Collected)
The Legislative Yuan's Economic Committee today invited Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin to report on the "Evaluation, Planning, and Issues related to the 'Expanded Procurement and Purchase' (crude oil, natural gas, power generation equipment, etc.) items in the Taiwan-US Tariff Agreement (ART), and the capital increase plan of CPC Corporation, Taiwan," and to answer questions.
Liu Ching-tsung, chairman of the Chiayi Chuluo Street Area Technology Development Association, recently stated that most suppliers' shelves in Chiayi City are almost empty, with "flower bags" and "one-jin inner bags" being the most scarce.
Regarding the current plastic bag shortage, Kung Ming-hsin stated in an interview before the meeting that he chaired a seminar on "Impact of Plastic Products on Commercial Districts" yesterday, where 30 participating commercial district representatives reported on local situations. Overall, only a few areas experienced shortages, mainly because the original local channel partners were not the two channels currently coordinated by the government, Zhenyu Hardware or Xiaobei Department Store, leading to a gap in supply. The Ministry of Economic Affairs will subsequently assist original channels or introduce existing cooperative channels to support, based on the needs of commercial districts, to solve the supply problem.
Regarding raw material supply, Kung Ming-hsin stated that domestic polyethylene (plastic material) demand is approximately 22,000 tons, and supply has now been increased to 27,500 tons, which is higher than demand. Overall, there should be no material shortage. Whether to further increase supply will be dynamically adjusted based on market conditions, and expanded supply is not ruled out.
Kung Ming-hsin also mentioned that the recent easing of tensions in the Middle East has led to international oil prices falling from over $100 to over $90 per barrel, which helps alleviate the cost pressure of upstream raw materials. CPC Corporation has absorbed part of the cost difference in the past to cooperate with the policy of stabilizing prices. The Executive Yuan has launched three major measures: special financing, budget allocation, and capital increase, to assist CPC in responding to subsequent investment and financial needs.
Regarding public concern about whether hypermarkets will implement plastic bag purchase restrictions, Kung Ming-hsin stated that the current supply is sufficient, and there is no need for limited sales. It is understood that most channels have not implemented purchase restrictions. He urged the public to purchase rationally and only according to actual needs, to avoid premature hoarding causing market fluctuations.
In addition, regarding media attention on energy supply and electricity price trends, Kung Ming-hsin stated that electricity prices are confirmed until at least September, and the situation after October still needs to be evaluated based on the overall situation. However, the Ministry of Economic Affairs always prioritizes price stability, and will also consider Taipower's financial capacity, with an overall cautious and optimistic outlook.
Regarding natural gas supply, Kung Ming-hsin pointed out that less than one-third of the gas sources needed for June were still pending, but now they are largely in place. Subsequent changes in the international situation still need to be observed. If the Middle East situation continues to ease, oil and gas prices are expected to stabilize, which will be a positive signal for domestic supply. (Editor: Lin Shu-yuan) 1150408
Liu Ching-tsung, chairman of the Chiayi Chuluo Street Area Technology Development Association, recently stated that most suppliers' shelves in Chiayi City are almost empty, with "flower bags" and "one-jin inner bags" being the most scarce.
Regarding the current plastic bag shortage, Kung Ming-hsin stated in an interview before the meeting that he chaired a seminar on "Impact of Plastic Products on Commercial Districts" yesterday, where 30 participating commercial district representatives reported on local situations. Overall, only a few areas experienced shortages, mainly because the original local channel partners were not the two channels currently coordinated by the government, Zhenyu Hardware or Xiaobei Department Store, leading to a gap in supply. The Ministry of Economic Affairs will subsequently assist original channels or introduce existing cooperative channels to support, based on the needs of commercial districts, to solve the supply problem.
Regarding raw material supply, Kung Ming-hsin stated that domestic polyethylene (plastic material) demand is approximately 22,000 tons, and supply has now been increased to 27,500 tons, which is higher than demand. Overall, there should be no material shortage. Whether to further increase supply will be dynamically adjusted based on market conditions, and expanded supply is not ruled out.
Kung Ming-hsin also mentioned that the recent easing of tensions in the Middle East has led to international oil prices falling from over $100 to over $90 per barrel, which helps alleviate the cost pressure of upstream raw materials. CPC Corporation has absorbed part of the cost difference in the past to cooperate with the policy of stabilizing prices. The Executive Yuan has launched three major measures: special financing, budget allocation, and capital increase, to assist CPC in responding to subsequent investment and financial needs.
Regarding public concern about whether hypermarkets will implement plastic bag purchase restrictions, Kung Ming-hsin stated that the current supply is sufficient, and there is no need for limited sales. It is understood that most channels have not implemented purchase restrictions. He urged the public to purchase rationally and only according to actual needs, to avoid premature hoarding causing market fluctuations.
In addition, regarding media attention on energy supply and electricity price trends, Kung Ming-hsin stated that electricity prices are confirmed until at least September, and the situation after October still needs to be evaluated based on the overall situation. However, the Ministry of Economic Affairs always prioritizes price stability, and will also consider Taipower's financial capacity, with an overall cautious and optimistic outlook.
Regarding natural gas supply, Kung Ming-hsin pointed out that less than one-third of the gas sources needed for June were still pending, but now they are largely in place. Subsequent changes in the international situation still need to be observed. If the Middle East situation continues to ease, oil and gas prices are expected to stabilize, which will be a positive signal for domestic supply. (Editor: Lin Shu-yuan) 1150408
FAQ
What is the cause of the plastic bag shortage in commercial districts like Chiayi?
The main reason is that the original local channel partners are not the channels currently coordinated by the government, such as Zhenyu Hardware or Xiaobei Department Store, leading to a gap in supply connection.
What is the supply situation of domestic plastic raw materials?
Domestic polyethylene demand is approximately 22,000 tons, but the supply has increased to 27,500 tons, exceeding demand, so there is no concern about an overall material shortage.
What measures are being taken to support CPC Corporation's financial situation?
The Executive Yuan has launched three major measures: special financing, budget allocation, and capital increase, to assist CPC in responding to subsequent investment and financial needs.