Cold damage causes 2.3 billion in agricultural losses, flowers remain unscathed to welcome the New Year
According to the latest statistics from the Council of Agriculture, this cold damage has caused NT$2.4 billion in agricultural losses, with aquaculture suffering the most severe losses at NT$2.1 billion; among crops, Kyoho grapes, high-graft pear buds, table tomatoes, tankan oranges and strawberries were hit hardest, totaling NT$200 million.
Council of Agriculture Minister Chen Bao-ji said at a press conference today (the 29th) that the ability to adapt to extreme climate will be the focus of future agricultural development, and he also called on farmers to return to "the right crop for the right place" - for example, milkfish is originally a tropical fish species, yet it is farmed in Yunlin and Chiayi, and some fish farmers also farm grouper, likewise a tropical fish species, in Yilan, making them more vulnerable to cold damage.
As for domestically grown flowers, losses were relatively few thanks to protected cultivation, and the supply of seasonal flowers including anthuriums, ornamental bromeliads, lisianthus, lilies and orchids remained stable, so price fluctuations were mostly driven by strong buying demand.
Stable flower supply despite cold damage; florist: NT$70 buys a pleasing potted plant
According to statistics from the Council of Agriculture today (the 29th), this cold spell has caused NT$2.4 billion in agricultural losses, a record high, but the supply of ornamental flowers for most Lunar New Year demand remained stable and was relatively little affected by the cold damage.
Generally speaking, the seasonal flowers people most often buy for the Lunar New Year are mainly bright red and pink. Heart-shaped anthuriums, mostly in deep red, small and delicate ornamental bromeliads with the meaning of good fortune arriving, and lace-textured pink lisianthus are all sought-after flowers for the Lunar New Year.
Florist Lin Xian said that in recent years public demand for ornamental flowers has also differed from previous years, "for example, chrysanthemums, generally regarded as being used for funerals, have large blooms and stable quality, so there is also a lot of buying demand during the Spring Festival." Coupled with current variety improvement and improved dyeing techniques, there is not only bright golden sand yellow, but also elegant sapphire blue and deep yellow for consumers to choose from.
