If you are making your shopping list for the traditional Chinese New Year, then be prepared to face a hike on the price of dried goods this year. Due to the global climate change and the strong demand in China, prices are up by around 30 percent for abalone, scallops and some Chinese herbs.

With Lunar New Year still weeks to go, Dihua Street is full of holiday flavor as shelves are stocked with ingredients, though the crowds are not so large.

Some come and ask for prices, with many learning about increases for many dried goods, especially with the price of this can of abalone from Mexico, which rose the most.

This can has risen from an original 2,200 NT$ to 3,000 NT$ or a gain of about 40 percent.

The reason has been reduced production which has led to a shortage in supply.

Not only has the price increased for abalone, but also red dates which rose 30 NT$ per catty, and dried scallop and mullet roe rose even more.

The price per catty for scallops rose from 1,800 to 2,400 NT$ and mullet roe increased from 1,400 to 1,700 NT$, while the price of wolfberry per catty increased from 180 to 240 NT$ for a gain of 20 to 30%.

The industry says that these gains may even increase as Lunar New Year approaches, with the demand going up.

Therefore, they suggest replacing some of these items with pine nuts and mushrooms, whose prices have been relatively steady.

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