Taiwan's Agricultural Exports Contract, Experts See New Opportunities in "15th Five-Year Plan"

Taiwan's agricultural exports continue to face significant challenges. Recently released statistics from the island show that in 2025, both the volume and value of Taiwan's agricultural, forestry, fishery, and livestock exports declined year-on-year, with the most substantial decrease recorded in exports to the mainland.

Long-time researcher of agricultural and fishery economics, Li Wuzhong, stated in an article for United Daily News that during periods of close cross-strait exchanges, Taiwan's agricultural exports to the mainland enjoyed considerable trade advantages. However, following the Democratic Progressive Party's administration in recent years, cross-strait relations have deteriorated, leading to a weakening of these trade benefits.

Despite a decline in its ranking, Taiwan's agricultural exports to the mainland remain among the top, which fully demonstrates the continued critical importance of the mainland market.

Li Wuzhong believes that agriculture is one of the core issues in the mainland's "15th Five-Year Plan." Taiwan possesses extensive experience in technological agriculture and precision farming, and has recently been actively promoting green and branded agriculture, indicating broad potential for cooperation between the two sides in these areas.

Through collaboration, redundant resource investment can be avoided, enabling both sides to jointly explore international markets. He cited the seed source sector as an example, where cross-strait complementary advantages are particularly evident.

Taiwan has rich experience, technology, and talent in seed preservation. Through two-way exchanges, this can help transition breeding from an experience-based approach to a precision-based one, accelerating the promotion of high-quality varieties and increasing both yield and output value.

Li Wuzhong pointed out that Taiwanese agricultural enterprises should adjust their mindset towards the mainland market. Instead of relying solely on "preferential treatment benefits," they should view the mainland as a high-end consumer market, striving to gain consumer recognition with a brand image centered on safety, quality, and uniqueness.