Means of production prices decline in China

BEIJING - Half of capital goods monitored by the government reported lower prices in mid-June compared with early June, official data showed Thursday.

Of the 50 major goods monitored by the government, including seamless steel tubes, gasoline, coal, fertilizer and some chemicals, 25 registered falling prices during the period, 21 posted price rises and four saw their prices remain unchanged, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

Hog prices kept falling, down 12 percent in mid-June compared with early June.

The readings, released every 10 days, are based on a survey of nearly 2,000 wholesalers and distributors in 31 provincial-level regions.