15 Dec 2010 11:31

China to improve agricultural infrastructure over next 5 years

Beijing. December 15. INTERFAX-CHINA - Increasing agricultural infrastructure will be one of China's key tasks over the next five years, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said at a press briefing on Dec. 15.

MOFCOM spokesman Yao Jian said more infrastructure, such as cold storage sites and markets, would ensure a stable supply of agricultural products.

Chongqing Municipality has invested RMB 100 million ($15.02 million) in rebuilding vegetable markets, Yao noted.

Vegetable wholesale prices have fallen for the past five weeks, according to Yao. Prices declined 4.5 percent year-on-year between Dec. 6 and Dec. 12, which was also 8.4 percent lower than the start of 2010, according to statistics released in the briefing.

Yao attributed the drop to increased supply, transportation and storage of vegetables, and favorable weather conditions for growing.

- Li Xin