COUNTRY PROFILE
Discover more about the Taiwan market including overviews about the retail, foodservice, and food-processing sectors. Events, resources, and more are linked throughout the profile.
$3.7 billion
Taiwan imported US$3.7 billion of food and agricultural products from the U.S. in 2024
11th
Taiwan is the 11th largest U.S. export market for processed foods, totaling US$652.4 million in 2024
18.8%
18.8% of the population of Taiwan is over 65 years of age.
USDA’s Agricultural Trade Office (ATO) in Taipei, hereinafter referred to as “FAS Post Taipei,” reports that as the U.S.’s seventh largest export market for food and agricultural products, Taiwan imported US$3.7 billion of food and agricultural products from the U.S. in 2024. The island is highly dependent on agricultural imports. Local consumers are actively seeking out high-end and exotic products and experiences, which make Taiwan a land full of opportunities.
U.S. products are well represented in the market, as are products from across the region, especially China and other lower-cost producers. Taiwan is a good target market for high-quality, differentiated products but also agricultural commodities.
Taiwan is the 11th largest U.S. export market for processed foods, totaling US$652.4 million in 2024.
Top processed export products imported by Taiwan in 2024 included:
$12.7 billion
$12.7 billion is the value of packaged food market in Taiwan in 2024.
$14.8 billion
By 2029, packaged food sales are expected to reach US$14.8 billion.
According to Euromonitor, retail sales in the packaged food market in Taiwan were estimated to reach US$12.5 According to Euromonitor, retail sales in the packaged food market in Taiwan were estimated to reach US$12.7 billion in 2024. By the year 2029, retail sales in the packaged food market in Taiwan are expected to reach US$14.8 billion, a growth rate of 11.6%, or US$1.5 billion from 2025.
When looking at the market by sector, convenience stores continue to perform well, with major players expanding by launching hybrid stores, including convenience cafés and convenience-drugstores. Hypermarkets, supermarkets and e-commerce experienced a slight decline.
FAS Post Taipei reports that the fastest growing Taiwan imports of consumer-oriented products in 2024 included cheese, tree nuts, pork, seafood, frozen fruit, whey protein, and concentrated fruit juice.
$30.9 billion
The value of the Taiwan hotel, restaurant
and institutional industry reached US$30.9 billion in 2023.
FAS Post Taipei reports that in 2023, Taiwan’s hotel, restaurant, and institutional (HRI) industry reached a record sales figure approximately US$30.9 billion. Although sales are soaring, the number of businesses in this sector only increased slightly by around one percent, underscoring the fierce competition within the industry.
The U.S. is a leading supplier of agricultural products and exports many high-valued consumer-oriented products, including beef, poultry, fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy, tree nuts, processed foods, and beverages that are used by foodservice operations. Major competitors in the market include New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, Japan, Canada, and European Union (EU) countries.
FAS Post Taipei reports that the best prospect products for U.S. exporters in the foodservice sector include cheese, tree nuts, pork, and seafood.
$3.7 billion
Taiwan imported US$3.7 billion in U.S. agricultural products in 2023.
$30 billion
Taiwan’s food processing industry produced US$30 billion of processed food and beverages in 2023.
FAS Post Taipei reports that in 2023, Taiwan’s food processing industry produced US$30 billion of processed food and beverages. Consumers’ preference for convenience and a growing interest in food health and safety have influenced the industry to develop easy-to-prepare meals, healthy options, and clean labels. The Taiwan food processing industry is composed of 7,601 manufacturers.
In 2023, Taiwan imported US$3.7 billion agricultural products from the U.S., which accounted for 24.5% of the island’s total import value. Among which the strongest subsectors are animal feed, meat processing, baked goods, and non-alcoholic beverages.
FAS Post Taipei reports that products present in the market that have good sales potential include cheese, tree nuts, non-gmo soybeans, dried fruit, pork, seafood, frozen fruit, whey protein, concentrated fruit juice and coffee. Taiwan will remain one of the most reliable export destinations for U.S. food processing ingredients.
