There will be greater supplies of fruits, vegetables and flowers available in domestic markets during the five-day period in the lead up to the Chinese New Year holiday, officials of the Agriculture and Food Agency (AFA) said Tuesday.

Compared with average levels, an increase of 46 per cent will be seen in vegetable supplies during this period, while there will be a 53 per cent greater supply of fruits, and 137 percent more flowers, the officials assessed, noting that the AFA has asked farmers to increase supplies to meet an expected increase in demand before the week-long Chinese New Year holiday that will begin on New Year's Eve Feb. 17.

Chinese New Year's Day, which falls on Feb. 18 this year, is one of the most important festivals in Taiwan, with many families preparing traditional feasts for the festival. Owing to the fact that wholesale markets for agricultural products will be closed during the holiday, most people are expected to engage in a shopping spree in preparation for the holiday break.

As a result, the demand for agricultural products is expected to peak during the approach of the Chinese New Year festival, AFA officials said.