Shilin Night Market Fruit Vendors Gouging Tourists?|水果攤挨批搶錢 北市加強稽查士林夜市

There were recent reports that fruit vendors at Shilin Night Market charge tourists higher prices. The Taipei City Government inspected vendors in January and issued 44 fines for illegal stalls and a dirty environment. Two of the vendors are no longer operating. As for the fruit price issue, the city government said there are no laws to restrict prices but it has asked vendors to display prices clearly and refrain from forcing sales. It will conduct two more inspections in the coming week. The city government also says the high price situation has already improved.


Taiwan's night markets are popular with tourists, but Shilin Night Market has come under fire following complaints that fruit vendors charge tourists higher prices. Taipei City inspectors sent to the market last month to compare prices at prepared fruit and retail stalls found that some prepared fruit vendors were charging two times more.

During our joint night market inspection, we did find that (fruit) prices at Shilin were indeed higher than at other night markets.

The Market Administration Office says the retail price of fruit is around NT$ 25 per 100 grams, but some vendors at Shilin Night Market sell fruit for NT$60 per 100 grams. As there are no laws against this, the city can only ask vendors to display prices, refrain from forcing sales, and maintain a hygienic environment. City inspectors issued a total of 44 fines worth NT$ 52,800 for unsanitary conditions in January. Two of the vendors have closed up shop.

(Vendors) sometimes violate the self-governance agreement and turn a deaf ear to us. Under these circumstances, we can legally revoke their vendor license.

The Shilin Night Market Development and Promotion Association says it terminated the contracts of two vendors four years ago for gouging customers and damaging the reputation of the market, and it will negotiate with vendors about the current situation.