TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Yulin County’s Gukeng Township is Taiwan's largest orange-producing region, but this year’s production declined by 20% due to Typhoon Gaemi.
Prices have almost doubled, rising to a record NT$30 (US$0.92) per 600 grams as Gukeng oranges enter harvest season. Gukeng Township Mayor Lin Hui-ju (林慧如) held a press event on Tuesday (Dec. 3), inviting the public to attend an orange festival scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, per UDN.
Gukeng Township has 1,032 hectares of orange orchards. Lin said local oranges flourish due to abundant sunshine, fertile soil, and the skill of local farmers. Gukeng accounts for 25% of Taiwan’s orange production.
The effects of a typhoon in July have made Gukeng oranges more scarce, with some consumers unable to purchase them without advance order. The quality of Gukeng oranges has made them popular for juicing or mixing with tea, increasing scarcity and prices.
Orange farmer Chen Shang-hsien (陳尚賢) said that the Gukeng orange trees have entered the harvest period. In conjunction with the township’s weekend orange festival, Chen said several orchards will be open to the public, allowing them to pick their own fruit.
Wei Sheng-de (魏勝德), director of the Agriculture Department, Yunlin County, said Gukeng Township produces approximately 30,000 tons of oranges annually. Wei said local oranges are high in vitamin C, fiber, antioxidants, and other nutrients.