China farm produce prices edge up

BEIJING -- Price of produce in 36 large and medium-sized Chinese cities moved up slightly in the week ending Nov. 30 compared with the previous week, the Ministry of Commerce said on Tuesday.

The average price of 18 vegetables experienced a rise of 2.5 percent due to seasonal pricing, pushing up the overall prices of farm produce, the ministry said.

Pepper, lettuce and cucumber prices rose 13.3 percent, 9.1 percent and 7.8 percent respectively over a week earlier.

Last week, price of beef, chicken and aquatic products increased 0.2 percent, 0.2 percent and 0.3 percent, while pork and mutton prices dropped 0.3 and 0.2 percent respectively.

Rice and flour prices stayed flat, according to the ministry.

Food accounts for about one third of China's consumer price index (CPI), a main gauge of inflation.

The CPI grew 1.6 percent year on year in October, the lowest level since January 2010, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.