Ministry of Economic Affairs: Carrefour and A.mart Have Over Two Weeks of Plastic Bag Stock, PX Mart Continues Inner Bag Supply

Central News Agency (Reporter Zeng Zhi-yi, Taipei, 14th) Due to Middle East tensions affecting petrochemical raw material supply, the Ministry of Economic Affairs' affordable plastic bag project will gradually enter the market this week. The Ministry of Economic Affairs stated today that cooperative channels Small North Department Store and Zhenyu Hardware have successively restocked 120,000 packs of plastic bags this week, and have confirmed that Carrefour and A.mart have approximately 14 to 30 days of plastic product inventory, including plastic bags. In addition, PX Mart has facilitated manufacturers of vest bags and inner bags to supply and stock, and continues to seek supply from manufacturers. Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin previously stated that the main problem currently faced by the market is not a shortage, but rather limited supply from suppliers and rising prices. The average increase for general plastic bags is about 30%, and the increase for inner bags directly containing fresh food is even more significant. The Ministry of Economic Affairs has launched a 5,000-ton affordable raw material plan, which will be gradually distributed to the market this week. The Ministry of Economic Affairs stated today via a Facebook post that to ensure sufficient supply of plastic bags on the market, the Ministry of Economic Affairs has currently identified a demand of approximately 310,000 packs from markets, commercial districts, and special channels. If one pack of plastic bags is calculated at about 300 grams, the total raw material demand is 93 tons; this only accounts for about 1.86% of CPC Corporation's increased production of 5,000 tons of raw materials, so there is no supply problem. The Ministry of Economic Affairs has also identified the needs of various channels. First, cooperative channels Small North Department Store and Zhenyu Hardware have successively restocked 120,000 packs of plastic bags this week and facilitated contact with manufacturers. In addition, large convenience stores and supermarkets (such as Carrefour and A.mart) have sufficient plastic product inventory for 14 to 30 days; PX Mart has also facilitated manufacturers of vest bags and inner bags to supply and stock, and continues to seek supply from manufacturers. The Ministry of Economic Affairs pointed out that the demand for inner bags in markets and commercial districts is large and substitutes are limited, and special specification bags are more difficult to order, which is being coordinated by the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The Ministry of Economic Affairs stated that if channel operators are willing to sell plastic bags, they can provide a list of upstream manufacturers to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, allowing the Ministry of Economic Affairs to assist in providing production raw materials to manufacturers, thereby ensuring that the public can shop without worry, and businesses in commercial districts, markets, and night markets can operate with peace of mind. (Editor: Yang Kai-hsiang) 1150414