Mainland authorities on Wednesday announced that shipments of natural sand to Taiwan would be suspended, while imports of citrus fruits and some types of fish from the island would be halted.

Customs authorities explained that the import ban was needed as officials have in the past year repeatedly found residues of pesticides on fruits from Taiwan, while packages of chilled largehead hairtail and frozen horse mackerel had tested positive for Covid-19.

The Ministry of Commerce, meanwhile, said the suspension on sand exports to the island was taken in accordance with mainland laws and regulations.

Natural sand is generally used for producing concrete and asphalt, and most of Taiwan's imported sand and gravel comes from the mainland. (Agencies)