COVID-19對西瓜種植面積與價格之影響

Abstract

新型冠狀病毒疫情自2019年底爆發以來，對全球經濟產生了深遠的影響，台灣餐飲業及農業生產也未能倖免。新冠疫情對台灣餐飲業的衝擊以及進一步對西瓜種植面積與生產量的影響，通過分析疫情期間餐飲業的收入變化、消費者行為的轉變以及農產品市場的需求波動，本研究揭示了疫情如何影響食品供應鏈和農業生產決策。在疫情初期，由於封鎖措施和社交距離的實施，台灣的餐飲業遭受重創，尤其是依賴現場用餐的傳統餐廳和小吃店。隨著疫情的持續，消費者逐漸轉向外帶和線上訂餐服務，這對餐飲業的經營模式和供應鏈管理提出了新的挑戰。此外，餐飲業需求的減少直接影響了對西瓜等季節性水果的需求，因為這些產品常用於餐飲場所提供的鮮果和飲料中。 西瓜種植者面對銷售減少的壓力，不得不調整種植策略，包括減少種植面積和延遲種植時間，以避免過剩和浪費。根據研究數據，2020年至2022年間，台灣西瓜的種植面積相較於疫情前下降了約10.95％，產量亦有所下降。 疫情突顯了全球供應鏈的脆弱性，尤其是在食品安全和可持續農業生產方面。因此，研究進一步建議加強本地生產能力，推動農業生產多樣化，並利用可持續技術增進生產效率，減少對外來供應的依賴。

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 at the end of 2019, the global economy has been deeply affected, and Taiwan's restaurant industry and agricultural production have not been spared. This study examines the impact of the pandemic on Taiwan's restaurant industry and its further effects on watermelon cultivation and production. By analyzing changes in restaurant revenue, shifts in consumer behavior, and fluctuations in agricultural market demand during the pandemic, this research reveals how the pandemic has influenced food supply chains and agricultural production decisions. In the early stages of the pandemic, lockdown measures and social distancing significantly impacted Taiwan's restaurant industry, particularly traditional restaurants and snack shops that rely on in-person dining. As the pandemic persisted, consumers gradually shifted towards takeout and online ordering services, posing new challenges for restaurant operations and supply chain management. Additionally, the reduced demand from the restaurant industry directly affected the demand for seasonal fruits like watermelons, commonly used in fresh fruit and beverage offerings. Facing the pressure of reduced sales, watermelon growers had to adjust their cultivation strategies, including reducing planting areas and delaying planting times to avoid overproduction and waste. According to research data, from 2020 to 2022, the planting area of watermelons in Taiwan decreased by approximately 10.95％ compared to pre-pandemic levels, and production also declined. The pandemic has highlighted the vulnerabilities of global supply chains, particularly in terms of food security and sustainable agricultural production. Therefore, the study further recommends enhancing local production capabilities, promoting agricultural production diversification, and utilizing sustainable technologies to improve production efficiency and reduce reliance on external supplies.