USDA/Taiwan --
Import Tariff Cuts -- The tariff on 2,469 import products will be brought down to zero by the year 2002 or 2003. By the year 2002, a total of 2,469 import items, accounting for 30.47% of total import items will receive a zero import tariff while another 4,437 products, accounting for 54.75% of total import items will be imposed with a less than 10 percent tariff.
Only 679 items, standing 8.38 percent of total import items, will be charged with a 15 percent or over 15 percent import tariff. These products are mainly agricultural and fishery products.
Food Market In Brief
-- No Fresh Fruits from abroad allowed - Taiwan authorities have released a comprehensive ban on the transportation of fresh fruits by overseas travelers arriving in Taiwan. The ban took effect on October 1. On that day, Peng Tso-Kuei, Chairman of the Council of Agriculture (COA) went to CKS International Airport to inspect how Customs handled the cases. Peng urged the public not to bring in fruits in an effort to ensure a safe growing environment for animals and plants. Fines for illegally bringing in fruits range from NT$30,000-NT$150,000 (approximately US$850-US$4,230).
Taiwanese travelers most often brought back with them pears from Japan, durian from Thailand, and apples and grapes from the United states.
-- Ginseng Beverages are Competitive Among Other Beverages In Taiwan -- There are two kinds of ginseng sold in Taiwan, red ginseng and white ginseng . The PRC and South Korea supply red ginseng and the United States is the major supplier for white ginseng . Traditionally, Taiwanese people refer to red ginseng as a "hot ginseng " and believe it acts as an energy booster.
It is considered to be a form of herbal medicine while Western ginseng or "cold ginseng " is mainly used in making ginseng beverages. With the trending concept of "convenience and time saving," ginseng beverages, such as ginseng tea and ginseng carbonate beverages are getting moreee and more popular in Taiwan. The retail prices for these ginseng beverages range from NT$30 to NT$100 per bottle. General ginseng beverages are sold in convenience stores or supermarkets. Only limited brands of ginseng beverages, made of Korean ginseng , are sold in Chinese herbal medicine stores only.
SOURCE : Dow Jones Commodities Service1998.10.19
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