TAITUNG, Taiwan – As Super Typhoon Bavi bears down on Taiwan, dragon fruit growers in the island’s eastern agricultural region are working against the clock to protect their harvest, highlighting the vulnerability of one of Taiwan’s valuable fruit industries to extreme weather.
At her farm in Taitung County, 45-year-old dragon fruit farmer Tu Hua-chin carefully trimmed plants and wrapped ripening fruits on Wednesday as part of last-minute preparations before the typhoon’s expected arrival. The protective coverings are intended to reduce damage from strong winds, heavy rain, and flying debris that could destroy the fruit before harvest, according to Reuters.
Taiwanese authorities have intensified preparations as Typhoon Bavi moves closer to the island. Ferry services to several offshore islands have been suspended, tourist attractions closed, and local governments have begun implementing disaster response measures, while weather officials warned that sea and land alerts could be issued as the powerful storm approaches.
Farmers in several parts of Taiwan have also rushed to harvest mature crops, including mangoes, betel leaves, pineapples, sugarcane, and rice, hoping to minimize losses before severe weather arrives. Agricultural producers say they cannot afford to gamble with the approaching storm, which is expected to bring damaging winds and torrential rain.
Dragon fruit is among Taiwan’s important high-value tropical crops. Although Taitung accounts for a relatively small share of national production, the county is known for producing premium-quality fruit. Major growing areas also include Changhua, Pingtung, Nantou, Tainan, and Chiayi. Taiwan cultivates both white-fleshed and red-fleshed dragon fruit varieties, with the latter gaining popularity because of strong consumer demand and its high antioxidant content.
The industry has recently gained new export opportunities after the European Union approved imports of Taiwanese dragon fruit, lychee, and jujube earlier this year, opening an important new market for growers. Taiwan has also begun expanding shipments of premium tropical fruits to Europe as part of its strategy to diversify agricultural exports beyond traditional markets.
Typhoons remain one of the biggest threats to Taiwan’s agricultural sector, particularly during the summer harvest season. Strong winds can snap dragon fruit vines, while prolonged rainfall may cause fruit to split, rot, or fall prematurely, resulting in significant financial losses for farmers.
With Bavi forecast to pass near Taiwan later this week, growers across the island continue reinforcing farms, harvesting mature produce, and protecting orchards in hopes of preserving as much of this season’s crop as possible.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
