The deficit in trade of China's farm produce in the first three quarters was up 45 percent over last year to 2.29 billion U.S. dollars, according to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture.

Imports rose 13.9 percent to 24.4 billion U.S. dollars while exports rose 11.4 percent to 22.1 billion U.S. dollars.

The total volume of farm produce in the period was up 12.7 percent.

The ministry attributed the rising deficit to export barriers and a lack of competitiveness among Chinese producers. It said the deficit mainly concerned livestock products, soybean, and cotton.

The deficit in livestock products reached 630 million U.S. dollars in the January to September period, up 30.2 percent over 2005.

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