Beijing’s resumption of custard apple imports from Taiwan has prompted warnings from Taipei that the move constitutes a form of coercive diplomacy, leveraging market access to extract political concessions. The development comes after a two-year suspension that saw Taiwan’s custard apple exports to the mainland drop to near zero.
China’s General Administration of Customs announced this week that it would allow imports of the fruit, commonly known as sugar apple or sweetsop, from approved orchards in Taiwan. The decision, framed by Beijing as a gesture of goodwill towards Taiwanese farmers, has been met with scepticism by officials in Taipei, who argue that such unilateral actions serve to deepen economic dependence on the mainland.
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council said in a statement that China’s approach was “not purely commercial” but designed to exert political influence. The Council urged caution, adding that Taipei would monitor the implementation to ensure it did not lead to undue pressure on local producers.
Custard apples have become a symbol of agricultural vulnerability in Taiwan. In 2021, China halted imports of the fruit, along with several other Taiwanese agricultural products, citing pest concerns. Critics in Taiwan viewed the ban as punitive, following political disputes between the two sides. The sudden reversal this week has revived debate over the use of trade as a political tool.
Wang Shu-min, a professor of agricultural economics at National Taiwan University, said the situation illustrated the risks of over-reliance on a single market. “When China opens or closes its market to Taiwanese products, it is not just about supply and demand. It is about political signalling,” Wang said. “Taiwanese farmers are caught in the middle.”
Taiwan’s total agricultural exports to China were worth approximately $1.2 billion in 2022, representing around 20 per cent of the island’s overall farm exports. The custard apple alone accounted for a significant share before the ban, with most of the crop destined for the mainland market. Farmers in Taitung County, where the bulk of Taiwan’s custard apples are grown, have lobbied intensely for the resumption of sales to China.
China’s latest move is part of a broader pattern of economic engagement that Beijing describes as a commitment to cross-strait exchanges. The Chinese government has pledged to promote “integrated development” across the strait, a policy aimed at fostering economic ties that some analysts argue is intended to erode support for Taiwan’s de facto independence.
For its part, Washington has taken note. The United States, which maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan under the One China policy, has cautioned against efforts to weaponise trade. A State Department spokesperson said this week that Washington “opposes any form of coercive economic pressure on Taiwan” and urged both sides to resolve differences through dialogue.
The European Union, too, has expressed concern. A Commission spokesperson said the EU “takes note of China’s import decision” but stressed that market access must not be tied to political conditions. The EU has its own trade disputes with China, including over alleged coercion in Lithuania and agricultural tariffs.
The immediate impact on Taiwanese farmers remains uncertain. While the reopening offers potential relief for growers, stringent new phytosanitary requirements and the risk of future supply chain disruptions loom. Some farmers in Taitung have expressed cautious welcome but mistrust. “We are happy to sell again, but we know this can change overnight,” said Lin Cheng-wei, a custard apple farmer. “We cannot plan our future based on China’s goodwill.”
Taipei has attempted to diversify its agricultural markets, boosting exports to Japan, the United States, and Southeast Asia. But these efforts have been slow to offset the scale of the Chinese market. The custard apple episode is expected to sharpen debate in Taiwan over food security and economic resilience.
Observers say the custard apple issue underscores a fundamental asymmetry in cross-strait relations: China’s ability to grant or withhold market access with little notice, and Taiwan’s limited capacity to retaliate. For now, the balance of risk remains tilted heavily in Beijing’s favour.
