Vendors Report Plastic Bag Price Hike of About 30%; Taipei Market Administration Suggests Solutions
The Middle East conflict has impacted petrochemical raw material supply, leading to a roughly 30% increase in plastic bag prices in Taiwan, with some areas experiencing shortages. The Taipei Market Administration visited public markets and received reports from vendors about price surges and supply issues. The administration recommends purchasing from channels like Zhenyu Hardware and Xiaobei Living Department Store and assists in reporting to the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Department of Commerce. Additionally, it promotes plastic reduction, the use of alternative packaging materials (like paper bags), and bringing reusable shopping bags for environmental protection.
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- 📰 Published: April 13, 2026 at 16:37
- 🔍 Collected: April 13, 2026 at 17:01 (24 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 19:25 (50h 24m after Collected)
TAIPEI (CNA) – The Middle East conflict has affected the supply of petrochemical raw materials, causing plastic bag prices to rise. The Taipei Market Administration stated today that it recently visited public markets with consumer protection officers, where some vendors reported price increases of about 30% or even shortages. The administration suggested purchasing from two channels and offered to assist in reporting to the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Department of Commerce.
The Market Administration issued a press release this afternoon stating that the Middle East conflict's impact on petrochemical raw material supply has led to rumors of potential shortages or price increases for plastic products in the market. It has recently conducted a comprehensive investigation and inventory of the supply of packaging materials such as plastic bags and heat-resistant bags.
In addition, on April 10, it also accompanied consumer protection officers from the Taipei City Government's Legal Affairs Bureau to public retail markets (such as Yongle, Huanan, and Zhongshan markets) to investigate price fluctuations of plastic products and promote environmental plastic reduction.
The Market Administration said that investigations revealed some stores reported facing price increases for plastic bags and heat-resistant bags, with an increase of about 30%, and some businesses even found it difficult to purchase plastic bags.
At the same time, plastic bag retailers also reported that some upstream and midstream plastic bag suppliers are unable to supply goods normally, and there may be shortages in the future.
The Market Administration stated that the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Department of Commerce held a "Commercial District and Market Plastic Bag Shortage Supply Coordination Meeting" on March 31. The Market Administration has also established a contact window and promoted to vendors under its jurisdiction that if they have plastic bag procurement needs, they can purchase them from channels such as Zhenyu Hardware or Xiaobei Living Department Store.
If there are still supply or coordination problems, the Market Administration said that vendors can report them at any time, and it will immediately assist in reporting to the Department of Commerce for handling; it will also continue to track the prices and supply of plastic goods to meet the shopping needs of vendors and consumers.
The Market Administration mentioned that regarding environmental plastic reduction, it will strengthen guidance for vendors to promote "plastic reduction" actions or switch to alternative packaging materials (such as paper bags), and encourage consumers to reuse environmentally friendly shopping bags or bring their own containers, gradually cultivating the public's habit of bringing their own shopping bags to protect environmental resources. (Editor: Chang Ming-kun) 1150413
The Market Administration issued a press release this afternoon stating that the Middle East conflict's impact on petrochemical raw material supply has led to rumors of potential shortages or price increases for plastic products in the market. It has recently conducted a comprehensive investigation and inventory of the supply of packaging materials such as plastic bags and heat-resistant bags.
In addition, on April 10, it also accompanied consumer protection officers from the Taipei City Government's Legal Affairs Bureau to public retail markets (such as Yongle, Huanan, and Zhongshan markets) to investigate price fluctuations of plastic products and promote environmental plastic reduction.
The Market Administration said that investigations revealed some stores reported facing price increases for plastic bags and heat-resistant bags, with an increase of about 30%, and some businesses even found it difficult to purchase plastic bags.
At the same time, plastic bag retailers also reported that some upstream and midstream plastic bag suppliers are unable to supply goods normally, and there may be shortages in the future.
The Market Administration stated that the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Department of Commerce held a "Commercial District and Market Plastic Bag Shortage Supply Coordination Meeting" on March 31. The Market Administration has also established a contact window and promoted to vendors under its jurisdiction that if they have plastic bag procurement needs, they can purchase them from channels such as Zhenyu Hardware or Xiaobei Living Department Store.
If there are still supply or coordination problems, the Market Administration said that vendors can report them at any time, and it will immediately assist in reporting to the Department of Commerce for handling; it will also continue to track the prices and supply of plastic goods to meet the shopping needs of vendors and consumers.
The Market Administration mentioned that regarding environmental plastic reduction, it will strengthen guidance for vendors to promote "plastic reduction" actions or switch to alternative packaging materials (such as paper bags), and encourage consumers to reuse environmentally friendly shopping bags or bring their own containers, gradually cultivating the public's habit of bringing their own shopping bags to protect environmental resources. (Editor: Chang Ming-kun) 1150413