News in brief: Typhoon Haikui caused approximately $19.8 million in agricultural losses in Taitung County, Taiwan, with significant damage to crops like Wendan pomelos, custard apples, bananas, and navel oranges.
Typhoon Haikui caused an estimated NT$600 million ($19.8 million) in agricultural losses in Taitung County, eastern Taiwan.
According to Taitung Agriculture Department Director Hsu Chia-hao, quoted by a news report, the typhoon damaged 5,600 hectares of crops such as Wendan pomelos, custard apples, bananas, and navel oranges.
The typhoon blocked Provincial Highway 23, the only road servicing the Donghe Township in the Taiyuan Valley, which is the main area for growing the above mentioned crops in the country.
When work crews finally removed obstacles to provide access to orchards, witnesses were greeted by the sight of fallen fruits rotting in piles under pomelo trees and the strong winds toppled some larger trees.
Agricultural Minister Chen Chi-chung, who visited Taitung on Monday to inspect the damage, said his ministry will provide cash assistance and low-interest loans for all farmers affected by the typhoon.
The worst-hit crop was Wendan pomelos, with most orchards ruined overnight. Farmers claimed they suffered around NT$1 million in damages to pomelos that were to be harvested in two days. They estimate that more than 70% of citrus crops have been lost.
Pomelos have similar taste to sweet grapefruits and they are commonly consumed and used for festive occasions throughout Southeast Asia. Taiwan exports the fruits to Japan and previously China, before an import ban in 2022.
The farmers appealed to the agricultural minister to speed up damage assessment and assist local governments and public offices to enable farmers get government help as soon as possible.
Taiwan’s government has dispatched teams to assess the damage to infrastructure in Taitung County, including roads, bridges, and power lines, and begin repairs.
The typhoon exposed the vulnerability of Taiwan’s agriculture to natural disasters. More than 40 people were injured after Typhoon Haikui blew across the island. It uprooted trees and forced thousands to evacuate. The storm – which made landfall on Sunday on the east coast – was the first to directly hit the island in four years.
