Agricultural losses from the cold front that hit the nation last month have reached an estimated NT$3.3 billion (US$98 million), the Council of Agriculture said on Sunday.
The figures include NT$2.87 billion worth of losses in the fishery sector, council statistics showed.
Council Secretary-General Tai Yu-yen (戴玉燕) said that the agricultural losses caused by the cold spell on Jan. 22 to Monday last week were the highest since December 1999.
In terms of areas, Tainan sustained the most severe damage from the cold spell, with agricultural losses of NT$1.65 billion.
It was followed by estimated losses of NT$826 million in Kaohsiung, NT$350 million in Chiayi County, NT$183 million in Pingtung County, NT$95.25 million in Yunlin County and NT$93.15 million in Changhua County, council data showed.
The cold front that engulfed the nation was the most serious in a decade. Even weather stations in low-lying areas — Taipei, Hsinchu County and Chiayi County — observed soft hail for the first time since the stations were established.
While new lows were not set in every area, all 28 weather stations across the nation recorded their lowest temperatures for this winter.
Fishery losses were the largest among the sectors affected, with milkfish, grouper, clams, tilapia and striped bass being the hardest hit, the council said.
Estimated crop losses totaled NT$430 million, it said, adding that 7,650 hectares of crops were damaged, with grapes the hardest hit, followed by bell apples, pears, tomatoes and strawberries.
Livestock damages totaled NT$690,000 from the loss of pigs, eggs, chickens and young ostriches, while damages to agricultural facilities totaled NT$3.8 million, the council said.
Farmers who suffered losses caused by the cold spell can apply for financial aid until Thursday to help them resume normal production, it said.
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