Scandals surrounding poisoned Chinese foods have taken a heavy toll on Taiwan's bakeries and makers of dairy products in recent months, but could provide a long-term boost for local food makers.

Liu Li-chien, who produces dried persimmons according to a 150-year tradition, thought his days in business were numbered when the island lifted restrictions on Chinese imports.

In 2004, to conform with World Trade Organisation rules, Taiwan lifted its long-term ban on imports of Chinese-made products, and cheaper, and generally poorer quality, goods flooded in.

Persimmons were no exception. Customs figures showed imports of China-made dried persimmon surged to 1,009 tonnes last year, from 919 tonnes in 2005.

"I have been highly suspicious about their quality although importers claimed Chinese-made dried persimmons passed Taiwan's food safety tests," Liu said.

The problem, he said, was the price. "It costs local makers at least 80 Taiwan dollars (2.4 US) to make half a pound of dried persimmons. But China-made dried persimmons cost half that."

As a result, the number of small dried persimmon makers in northern Hsinpu town, centre of the Taiwanese industry, has dropped to 17 from a peak of 25 in recent years.

The persimmon growers have felt the pinch, too.

Orchardists in Fanlu, a township in southern Taiwan supply around 10,000 tonnes of fresh persimmons each year, accounting for 30 percent of all persimmons produced in Taiwan.

Lin Wen-ching, of the Fanlu farmers' association, said incomes have been slashed thanks to the influx of Chinese produce.