TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s government has launched measures to stabilize the supply and pricing of plastic bags following supply chain disruptions linked to the Iran conflict.
Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) said Wednesday at the legislature that authorities are coordinating with retailers and distributors across 30 business districts to ensure a stable supply. He said overall availability remains sufficient, with shortages limited to southern Taiwan and the situation most acute in Chiayi, per CNA.
Kung said increased domestic polyethylene supply is expected to boost production and urged the public not to panic buy. He said the government is coordinating supply across agencies, encouraging vendors to switch to alternative materials such as paper bags, and promoting the use of reusable shopping bags.
Some retailers have implemented purchase limits. Carrefour has restricted purchases of garbage bags to one set per customer since April 3, following similar measures by Costco. Carrefour said the move is intended to maintain long-term supply stability, adding that inventory remains sufficient.
Prosecutors have also launched investigations into the plastic bag supply chain to determine whether price manipulation has occurred. The Shilin District Prosecutors Office said it has mobilized teams to inspect upstream suppliers in Taipei and New Taipei, reviewing inventory, shipments, and pricing data, per CNA.
The Ministry of Justice said it conducted two waves of inspections before and after the Tomb Sweeping holiday, targeting 1,376 establishments, including night markets, traditional markets, retail outlets, upstream suppliers, and plastic manufacturing plants.
Deputy Justice Minister Huang Mou-hsin (黃謀信) said an inter-ministerial joint price inspection team is working with local prosecutors’ offices to identify pricing irregularities and potential hoarding.
Huang said any illegal activity uncovered will be handled in accordance with the law, adding that authorities will continue tracing the sources of irregularities and plan further inspections of key materials.
In a press release, the ministry said a strict tracking and reporting system has been established to monitor regional price fluctuations, integrating data from prosecutors’ offices, the Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau, the Agency Against Corruption, and joint inspection teams to enable timely responses.
The ministry warned that anyone found hoarding goods or inflating prices to disrupt market order will face strict investigation and prosecution.
It said stable pricing of essential goods is fundamental to social stability and urged businesses not to exploit fluctuations in global raw material costs. The public is also encouraged to report suspected price gouging by calling the 0800-007007 hotline.
