People in Taiwan tend to buy some pistachio to welcome the Spring Festival this year, however, they may be not that happy with the intimidating price, which is as high as 439 NTD in the famous online shopping platform on the island for just 520 gram. Even if it is in the variety stores that is on sales, the price can be as high as 415 NTD. The average price increase is up to 30%.
          The businessmen who are engaged in the variety stores disclose that this year the price surpasses 400 NTD for the first time for the 520g-drum of pistachio, the price increase is the most remarkable compared with that of other nuts. If people replace pistachio by melon seeds, almond or cashew nuts, they also have to pay much.
          Some experts say that the price increase of all kinds of nuts ranges from 10% to 30%. Over the last year, the production of nuts has not increased considerably, but the baking industry has been burgeoning in mainland, and people in Taiwan are paying more and more attention to health maintenance. These factors contribute to higher demand which leads to the sharp price increase.