TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Agriculture and Food Agency said cabbage cultivation is nearing oversupply levels and urged farmers to plant in smaller batches or switch to other crops to prevent a sharp drop in prices.

According to the agency, cabbage seedling numbers have exceeded 5.8 million nationwide for 40 consecutive days. When total planting tops 6 million seedlings, it is considered overplanting, per CNA. In September alone, a local supplier sold 5.87 million seedlings, 9% above the three-year average for the month.

The agency said some farmers turned to cabbage as prices rose to NT$300 (US$9.30) per head late last year, a shift compounded by reduced rainfall in August and September.

However, overplanting in the second half of last year pushed prices down to NT$6.2 per kilogram, prompting some farmers to leave crops unharvested or allow the public to pick and buy directly to reduce costs.

Cabbage is typically grown in highland areas in central Taiwan from April to October, then shifts to lowland regions from November to March. The agency added that warmer autumns have extended the highland growing season, causing overlap with lowland harvests and increasing overall production.

To help farmers track planting levels, the agency releases updates every 10 days on overall vegetable volumes and provides monthly reports to guide planting plans and avoid steep price declines.