The sudden surge in Chinese imports of Taiwanese custard apples has done little to soothe anxieties on the island. For farmers in Taitung, the gesture was a lifeline after Beijing’s previous ban left tonnes of fruit rotting. But for many others, it is a reminder of how easily food supply can become a political weapon.
The Taiwanese government has warned that such dependence on a single buyer is perilous. The timing, just weeks before elections, has only heightened concerns. One farmer, who asked not to be named, said: “We are grateful for the sales, but we cannot sleep soundly knowing our income rests on the mood of Beijing.
” The episode has reignited debates about food sovereignty and the need to diversify export markets. For now, the custard apples are flowing, but the underlying insecurity remains. It is a bitter harvest for those who see every sale as a potential hook.
