Pingtung lemon harvest plummets due to climate change, typhoon damage

屏東檸檬產量因氣候變遷和颱風災害而大幅下降

Farmers urge government assistance as production may drop by up to 70%


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Lemon farmers in Pingtung are warning of a disastrous harvest this year, citing severe typhoon damage and the ongoing effects of climate change.

Hsu (許), a lemon farmer in Jhutian Township, explained that the fruit-setting rate has declined due to damage sustained by branches during last year’s typhoons, per CNA. He estimated that yields could drop to 600 kilograms per 970 square meters, compared to the usual 2,400 kilograms.

Another farmer, Chang (張), said that with an investment of roughly NT$70,000 (US$2,368) to NT$80,000 per 970 square meters, he could face losses exceeding NT$500,000. He urged the government to provide financial aid.

Hsu also called on the government to help farmers build better disaster prevention and recovery systems. DPP Legislator Hsu Fu-kuei (徐富癸), who brought local and central government officials to inspect the fields, pressed the Agriculture Ministry to expedite aid and establish early warning systems for high-risk crops such as lemons, per UDN.

Hsu Fu-kuei warned climate change would intensify its impact on agriculture, and without swift assistance, farmers could suffer even greater losses. He added that typhoons last year also affected litchis, mangoes, and avocados.

Jiouru Township Farmers’ Association official Kung Tai-wen (龔泰文) on April 28 said that official estimates suggest a 50% drop in this year’s lemon harvest, per Economic Daily. He noted that wide temperature fluctuations between day and night are also to blame, causing premature fruit drop.

According to Kung, nighttime temperatures this spring dropped to around 14 degrees Celsius, far below the ideal 20 degrees for lemon cultivation. He observed small, unripe lemons scattered on the ground and noted sunburn damage on the larger fruits, rendering them unsuitable for harvest.

Kung said the lemons were already weakened by last year’s typhoons. Their condition was further worsened by climate change.