#Taiwan: (remember they were cutting water allocations to keep semiconductor factories running)

Drought reduces Taiwan lychee production to 10% in worst case — 90% crop failure!

Prolonged drought in Taiwan has affected the harvest in various areas. In Qishan, Dashu and other areas in Kaohsiung, Yuhebao lychees have trouble fruiting due to continuous drought. Growers lament that the production may only be a little over 10% in the worst case.

https://www.freshplaza.com/article/9316934/drought-reduces-taiwan-lychee-production-to-10-in-worst-case/

Taiwan is experiencing a rare shortage of chicken eggs that may not ease until April, according to the agricultural authorities.

Consumers in northern Taiwan have been complaining about empty egg shelves at retailers, and strained supplies have seen the price of the protein source soar. According to China Times, the price has been hiked to NT$35 (US$1.26) per catty (台斤, 0.6 kg) from NT$24 before the pandemic.

A daily shortfall of 1.2 million eggs is being reported as nationwide demand averages 23.6 million eggs per day, said Agriculture and Food Agency Director-General Hu Jong-i (胡忠一).

The authorities are taking measures to address the scarcity of the staple. A total of 600,000 eggs will be imported from Australia and the U.S. every week, while some of northern Taiwan's need will be met by eggs from the south, CNA quoted Hu as saying.

Multiple factors are behind the shortage, including the slump in demand last year during the Level 3 COVID-19 alert that discouraged breeders from replenishing their stocks of chicks. Recent cold fronts and avian flu outbreaks have further exacerbated instability in the supply of eggs.

#BirdFlu #FoodShortages #Taiwan

https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4423801

Lots of voices speculating about Xi will move on Taiwan (or not).

I won’t speculate, but I will observe that big funds dumped nearly $2bil of Taiwanese equities yesterday alone. Money talks, and this would seem to speak volumes… we will see.

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Ukraine Invasion Unnerves Global Funds Bracing for Taiwan Risk

The conflict in Ukraine is sparking renewed jitters about tensions between China and Taiwan, and the worries are showing up in the island’s assets.

China’s threats to use military force to stop Taiwan from declaring formal independence have dogged the island’s markets for years, and the standoff in Ukraine provides a snapshot of the risks if tensions escalate. Global funds dumped the equivalent of $1.91 billion of Taiwan stocks on Thursday, the biggest one-day withdrawal in a year.

#taiwan #china

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-02-25/ukraine-invasion-unnerves-global-funds-bracing-for-taiwan-risk