The first two cargos of Yunlin County oranges were shipped to China ?a heading to Beijing and Xiamen, respectively ?a as part of the government's efforts to stabilize orange prices during the harvest season.

An estimated 980 metric tons of Yunlin-grown oranges will be shipped to China. The first two cargos of the fruit were shipped across from Yunlin agricultural logistic center.

We hope China will buy more Yunlin oranges after the first purchase, said Yunlin County official. The County government will keep readjusting the strategy toward China depending on the Chinese market's response to the oranges, the official added.

The total orange production this year amounts to 250,000 metric tons, with Yunlin's production accounting for nearly 50 percent, at around 130,000 metric tons. In addition, approximately 3,200 hectares of farmyards in Yunlin were planted with oranges, which topped the nation's plantation area.

To solve the problem of oversupply, COA has launched a program to purchase oranges from farmers for domestic use and promote orange juice to the public to increase consumption.

COA also offered a NT$200,000 subsidy per hectare to encourage farmers to abolish their orange plantations.


Source: chinapost.com.tw