Responding to US peanut imports, Hualien County Government: Strengthen resilience based on organic agriculture
In response to zero tariffs on US peanut imports due to the Taiwan-US Trade Agreement, the Hualien County Government announced its strategy to strengthen agricultural resilience through organic farming. While monitoring market changes and leveraging support from the Council of Agriculture, the county will promote food and agriculture education, local consumption, and certification systems to protect farmers' rights and industry development.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 29, 2026 at 20:42
- 🔍 Collected: April 29, 2026 at 21:01 (18 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 29, 2026 at 23:00 (1h 59m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Li Hsien-feng, Hualien County 29th) According to the Taiwan-US Equivalent Trade Agreement (ART), US peanuts will be imported with zero tariffs. The Hualien County Government stated that it has grasped the current situation of the production areas and the measures of the Council of Agriculture, and is paying attention to market changes as a basis for subsequent guidance and adjustments to ensure farmers' rights and industrial development.
The Hualien County Government issued a statement today, saying that according to the Council of Agriculture's assessment, under price competitive conditions, some peanut markets primarily for processing purposes may face a certain degree of substitution pressure in the future. This is because imported peanuts have the advantage of scaled production and are relatively price-competitive, making their impact on the processing markets for peanut butter, peanut candy, etc., more obvious.
In response, the Council of Agriculture has proposed multiple supporting measures, including promoting a wet pod trading system, establishing automated drying centers, strengthening group contract farming and integrated service systems, and assisting industrial adjustment through the agricultural stabilization fund. At the same time, it continues to deepen market segmentation and brand marketing to enhance the overall value of domestic peanuts.
Hualien County Magistrate Hsu Chen-wei stated that the planting area for peanuts in Hualien County is about 190 hectares, which is not a high proportion nationwide. They are mainly distributed in Xincheng Township, Fenglin Township, and Guangfu Township, with "Tainan Selection No. 9" as the main variety. It is characterized by a rich aroma and delicate taste, making it suitable for fresh consumption. Most farmers focus on local production and consumption, selling shelled peanuts or self-made processed products, combining tourism channels and local brand management. Products are mostly positioned in quality-oriented markets, differentiating them from the consumption patterns of imported peanut kernels.
Chen Shu-wen, Director of the Agriculture Department, explained that Hualien peanuts have differences in varietal characteristics and market positioning compared to large-sized US imported peanuts, giving them a certain degree of market segmentation. However, the overall market price may still be affected by changes in import volume.
Chen Shu-wen stated that to strengthen industrial stability, they will cooperate with central policies, continuing to work on aspects such as food and agriculture education, local production and consumption, and certification systems, promoting peanut products with local characteristics that have passed organic or production and sales history certifications, and encouraging the development of diverse processed and souvenir forms to enhance product recognition and added value, while maintaining clear origin and quality trust.
The county government pointed out that Hualien's agriculture is based on a pristine environment and high-quality production, and its peanut products have advantages in flavor and safety. Facing changes in the international market, it will take organic agriculture as the core of its development, combine food and agriculture education and local consumption models, steadily promote industrial upgrading and transformation, and continue to assist farmers in adjusting their pace. In the future, it will continue to pay attention to trade policies and market changes, and dynamically review relevant guidance measures to ensure stable agricultural development in Hualien and protect farmers' income and industrial competitiveness. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150429
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(Central News Agency reporter Li Hsien-feng, Hualien County 29th) According to the Taiwan-US Equivalent Trade Agreement (ART), US peanuts will be imported with zero tariffs. The Hualien County Government stated that it has grasped the current situation of the production areas and the measures of the Council of Agriculture, and is paying attention to market changes as a basis for subsequent guidance and adjustments to ensure farmers' rights and industrial development.
The Hualien County Government issued a statement today, saying that according to the Council of Agriculture's assessment, under price competitive conditions, some peanut markets primarily for processing purposes may face a certain degree of substitution pressure in the future. This is because imported peanuts have the advantage of scaled production and are relatively price-competitive, making their impact on the processing markets for peanut butter, peanut candy, etc., more obvious.
In response, the Council of Agriculture has proposed multiple supporting measures, including promoting a wet pod trading system, establishing automated drying centers, strengthening group contract farming and integrated service systems, and assisting industrial adjustment through the agricultural stabilization fund. At the same time, it continues to deepen market segmentation and brand marketing to enhance the overall value of domestic peanuts.
Hualien County Magistrate Hsu Chen-wei stated that the planting area for peanuts in Hualien County is about 190 hectares, which is not a high proportion nationwide. They are mainly distributed in Xincheng Township, Fenglin Township, and Guangfu Township, with "Tainan Selection No. 9" as the main variety. It is characterized by a rich aroma and delicate taste, making it suitable for fresh consumption. Most farmers focus on local production and consumption, selling shelled peanuts or self-made processed products, combining tourism channels and local brand management. Products are mostly positioned in quality-oriented markets, differentiating them from the consumption patterns of imported peanut kernels.
Chen Shu-wen, Director of the Agriculture Department, explained that Hualien peanuts have differences in varietal characteristics and market positioning compared to large-sized US imported peanuts, giving them a certain degree of market segmentation. However, the overall market price may still be affected by changes in import volume.
Chen Shu-wen stated that to strengthen industrial stability, they will cooperate with central policies, continuing to work on aspects such as food and agriculture education, local production and consumption, and certification systems, promoting peanut products with local characteristics that have passed organic or production and sales history certifications, and encouraging the development of diverse processed and souvenir forms to enhance product recognition and added value, while maintaining clear origin and quality trust.
The county government pointed out that Hualien's agriculture is based on a pristine environment and high-quality production, and its peanut products have advantages in flavor and safety. Facing changes in the international market, it will take organic agriculture as the core of its development, combine food and agriculture education and local consumption models, steadily promote industrial upgrading and transformation, and continue to assist farmers in adjusting their pace. In the future, it will continue to pay attention to trade policies and market changes, and dynamically review relevant guidance measures to ensure stable agricultural development in Hualien and protect farmers' income and industrial competitiveness. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150429
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.