Peanut opening prices fall; Yunlin magistrate seeks agricultural fund aid to prevent farmer losses

Peanut farmers in Yunlin County, a major peanut-producing region in Taiwan, are facing significant financial anxiety as opening prices for the first-season crop have fallen by approximately 30% compared to the previous year. The current opening price stands at NT$35 per catty, a sharp decline from over NT$50 last year.

This price drop is largely attributed to market anticipation of the potential impact of zero tariffs and the elimination of special safeguard measures on US peanut imports. Farmers are worried about the possibility of substantial losses, with the harvest season just beginning and expected to peak by the end of June.

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The price of agricultural products is related to the rights and interests of farmers. As the magistrate of a major agricultural county, I stand with the farmers and am naturally concerned.

Yunlin County Magistrate Chang Li-shan has pledged to actively seek assistance from the NT$30 billion agricultural security fund. She emphasized her solidarity with the farmers and her concern for their livelihoods, stating that the county government will work to prevent them from suffering irrecoverable losses. Additionally, the magistrate addressed concerns about peanut drying due to recent rainfall, noting that the county government will provide guidance on using drying equipment, similar to measures taken for garlic farmers.

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We will actively apply for the NT$30 billion agricultural security fund to assist, to prevent farmers from suffering losses and ending up with nothing.