How long for the shutdown? And Taiwan retail trends
A new poll for the group:
The U.S. government shutdown will last...
5 days
15 days
35 days
Longer than 35 days
I asked Claude to summarize a report on Taiwan retail trends.
Claude: Taiwan Retail Foods Market Summary
Market Overview
Taiwan’s retail food sector generated over $30 billion in sales in 2024, with the United States maintaining its position as the leading supplier of consumer-oriented agricultural products, capturing over 20% of the total market share.
Key Market Characteristics
Economic Profile:
GDP of $804 billion with per capita income of $34,430
Expected to surpass South Korea’s GDP per capita in 2025 for the first time in 22 years
Heavy reliance on food imports due to limited arable land
Industry Segments (2024):
Retail food industry: $8.9 billion
Food service: $31.5 billion
Food processing: $34.5 billion
Retail Landscape
Convenience Stores dominate daily life with exceptional density—one store per 1,500 people (second highest globally after South Korea). Major players include:
7-Eleven (7,110 stores, $11.49B sales)
Family Mart (4,279 stores, $3.57B sales)
Hypermarkets & Supermarkets:
Costco leads with $3.4 billion in sales
PX Mart dominates supermarkets with 1,227 locations and $6 billion in sales
Growing e-commerce integration with delivery services like Uber Eats
Consumer Trends
The aging population (20% over age 65) is driving demand for:
Products with health benefits and added protein
Low-additive, clean-label products
Smaller portion sizes (reflecting smaller family sizes)
Pet products (Taiwanese have more pets than babies)
Top U.S. Export Categories
Beef ($695M, 52% market share)
Poultry ($268M)
Fresh fruit ($255M, 32% market share)
Dairy ($110M)
Tree nuts ($77M)
Opportunities & Challenges
Advantages for U.S. Exporters:
Strong brand reputation and quality perception
Growing demand for natural/organic foods
U.S. cultural influence drives promotional events
Key Challenges:
Price sensitivity among consumers
Competition from FTA partners offering lower costs
Preference for fresh over frozen products
Reluctance of some U.S. exporters to accommodate small-volume shipments
The report identifies emerging opportunities in cheese, tree nuts, frozen berries, and whey protein concentrate as the market continues to evolve with demographic changes.
