Green gold of the forest
Taitung’s forests and fields are rich in natural resources. Under the promotion of the county government, a revolution in the essential oil industry has quietly begun. Taiwan’s Taiwan red cypress, Taiwania (Cryptomeria-like Taiwania), and Taiwan incense cedar have become the core raw materials of this high-value industry. In collaboration with GRANGE Taiwan and the Taitung Branch of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, the concept of “total material utilization and circular economy” has paved the way for industry upgrading, ensuring sustainable forest use and giving essential oils a unique local flavor.
(Photo credit: GRANGE Taiwan)
At Hongshi Trail, the amount of Japanese cedar harvested through thinning—the select cutting of particular trees from densely wooded areas—reached 2,532 cubic meters. In the past, branches and leaves were considered waste. Now, under the county’s integrated industrial strategy, they have become valuable materials for essential oil extraction. The “Decoding Japanese Cedar” and “Decoding the Forest” essential oil product lines transform thinned wood into high-value products. Research shows that essential oil yields from thinned plants are three times higher than those from blanket harvesting, increasing farmers’ income, enhancing product value, and driving the local economy.
(Photo credit: Taitung County Government)
(Photo credit: Xiangquan Agricultural Innovation)
Diverse brands flourishing
The Taitung County Government actively supports the development of local essential oil brands, and businesses with distinct characteristics are thriving. GRANGE Taiwan, in collaboration with the Taitung Branch, focuses on the sustainable use of forest resources such as Taiwan red cypress and Taiwania. Meanwhile, Blueseeds adheres to natural farming, reducing chemical fertilizers, and has created Taiwan’s largest lavender field in Chishang. The Small Village Far Far Away, based in Taiyuan Valley, extracts local herbs such as mosquito wormwood and peppermint to produce antibacterial products like mosquito repellent.
(Photo credit: Xiangquan Agricultural Innovation)
Xiangquan Agricultural Innovation specializes in the development of agarwood and Cinnamomum kanehirae essential oils, helping local farmers create biotech products. Fan Zhang Farm, located near Zhiben Station, offers herbal experiences, extracting essential oil from smallflower beggarticks to make anti-itch balm, and integrates farm tours with DIY activities. Through policy guidance and resource integration, the Taitung County Government has successfully fostered a diversified essential oil industry ecosystem, creating new momentum for the green economy in Taitung.
Natural farming and ecological restoration
The Taitung County Government is vigorously promoting the integration of the essential oil industry with organic agriculture, supporting green economy products through policies and resources. Under government assistance, Blueseeds follows the principles of natural farming by reducing chemical fertilizers and artificial intervention, achieving high product standards and emphasizing long-term environmental restoration.
In 2023, with support from the county government, Blueseeds established a 7.8-hectare lavender field in Chishang, now the largest in Taiwan. Deputy Magistrate Wang Chih-Hui stated that this is not only a breakthrough for Chishang’s herb industry but also symbolizes a new direction for local agriculture. It will inject new energy into Taitung’s green industry and significantly increase the added value of agricultural products.
(Photo credit: The Small Village Far Far Away)
(Photo credit: The Small Village Far Far Away)
(Photo credit: The Small Village Far Far Away)
Fragrance tourism: A new trend in the experience economy
The Taitung County Government is actively integrating the essential oil industry with tourism resources, promoting the experience economy model. Fan Zhang Farm offers farm tours to help visitors learn about various herbal plants. The Small Village Far Far Away provides personalized fragrance blending experiences in Taiyuan Valley, allowing visitors to create their own skincare oils. Blueseeds launched a “Adopt a Lavender Field” project, enabling consumers to participate in the production process and receive the finished essential oil.
These innovative experiential marketing strategies allow more consumers to understand the unique value of Taitung essential oils, expand the market, and enhance brand influence.
Statistics from the Taitung County Government show that a 10-ton truck of pineapples is worth NT$110,000, rice NT$320,000, and sugar apples NT$400,000; by comparison, essential oil bath and shower products are worth NT$4.8 million, and pure essential oils reach NT$45 million — an increase of 50 to 100 times. Through the joint efforts of the county government and businesses, Taitung is becoming a major base of Taiwan’s essential oil industry, creating considerable economic benefits for the region.
