Taiwan’s Food Resiliency—or Not—in a Conflict with China

Abstract

The US military, intelligence, and diplomatic communities have overlooked a key vulnerability in their assessment of a military conflict between China and Taiwan—Taiwan’s growing reliance on agricultural imports and its food stocks (except for rice) that could endure trade disruptions for only six months. This article assesses Taiwan’s agricultural sector and its ability to feed the country’s population if food imports and production are disrupted by a military conflict with China or a naval blockade imposed by the People’s Liberation Army Navy; identifies the food products that should be prioritized in resupply operations, based on Taiwan's nutritional needs and domestic food production; and outlines the required logistical assets. These findings underscore the urgency for US military planners to develop long-term logistical solutions for this complex strategic issue.