China's import of custard apples is sparking fears in Taiwan

China's import of custard apples is sparking fears in Taiwan27 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleKoh EweGetty ImagesThe atemoya is a hybrid of different custard apple species and a specialty of Taiwan's Taitung countyA scaly, heart-shaped fruit could become the latest cause of friction between China and Taiwan, as the latter warned farmers against Beijing's plan to step up imports of the crop.The atemoya, a hybrid of different custard apple species with creamy white flesh encased in a rough green exterior, is a specialty of Taiwan's Taitung county.China, a key importer of Taiwanese atemoyas, pledged to buy more of the fruit earlier this month.But a press release by Taiwan's agriculture ministry on Saturday claimed this was a "classic example of China's 'raise, trap, kill' process", by which Beijing creates reliance before leaving farmers exposed to market changes.Beijing claims the self-governed island of Taiwan as its territory and has not ruled out taking it by force. In recent years it has stepped up military drills near Taiwan, including simulating blockades on the island.Observers say China has also engaged in a range of non-military tactics to pressure Taiwan. And one apparent weapon is fruit. In 2021, China banned the import of Taiwanese pineapples, causing major disruption to farmers' livelihoods. This sparked a domestic consumption movement to counter what many Taiwanese saw as economic coercion.Some argue the same thing is now happening to atemoya. "First, China makes large purchases to show goodwill and encourage farmers to grow atemoyas. Next it unilaterally imposes export restrictions without warning," the Taiwanese agriculture ministry said in its press release. The statement noted that China suspended imports of atemoyas in 2021, citing pest concerns, before partially resuming imports in 2023 and then slapping taxes on the fruit in 2024.Such moves "cause the industry to...