TANAN (TVBS News) — Tainan, Taiwan's second-largest deer farming region, is witnessing a surge in the development of velvet antler products, catering to the growing health consciousness among consumers. Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) highlighted the traditional consumption of velvet antler in medicinal wines and dishes, emphasizing the market's demand for innovative deer products.
The annual velvet antler harvesting season, spanning from March to June, has local farmers exploring various product innovations to enhance the industry's competitiveness.
A Flourishing Industry
Tainan boasts 52 deer farms, housing a total of 2,520 deer, which accounts for 11% of the nation's deer population, according to the Tainan City Agriculture Bureau. The city leads the six major metropolitan areas in Taiwan with an annual velvet antler production of 3,571 kilograms, valued at NT$84 million. This robust production underpins Tainan's pivotal role in Taiwan's deer farming industry.
Diverse Applications
The versatility of velvet antler is evident in the array of products it has inspired, ranging from health supplements like deer antler essence and functional jellies to skincare items such as moisturizing soaps and lotions, and even culinary delights like five-grain wellness packs and deer bone cooking kits.
The Deer Farmers' Association in Tainan has committed to innovation, marketing, and the promotion of domestically produced velvet antler products. By integrating agricultural education and adopting carbon reduction or net-zero carbon emission practices, the association aims to set a sustainable course for the future of the deer industry.
