Taiwan ruling party accuses influential family of '2 trillion agricultural empire' manipulating fruit and vegetable prices

A high-ranking official from Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has leveled serious accusations against the influential Zhang family, alleging they operate a vast "2 trillion agricultural empire" that manipulates the nation's fruit and vegetable prices. Huang Tzu-yi, deputy director of the DPP's news department, detailed the complex network of the Zhang family's alleged control over the supply chain on Facebook.

Huang claims the family's dominance allows them to dictate prices, making produce unaffordable for consumers while simultaneously creating artificial gluts. He further accused the Zhangs of employing online trolls to spread rumors and smear opponents, particularly concerning the high cost of fruits and vegetables. These allegations come as agricultural issues frequently become a focal point of political debate during election campaigns in Taiwan.

The DPP official presented what he described as a "stunning relationship map" of the Zhang family's agricultural interests, suggesting a deeply entrenched system. The accusations underscore the ongoing political battles over food prices and agricultural control in Taiwan, with the opposition often facing scrutiny over market practices.