China's food prices decrease

BEIJING - Food prices in China fell slightly last week, due to cheaper vegetables, meat and eggs, the Ministry of Commerce said Monday.

The average price of 30 types of vegetable between Feb 6 and 12 decreased 6.4 percent from a week earlier, according to the ministry.

Prices of zucchini, Chinese chives and beans declined 17.7 percent, 13.3 percent and 12.7 percent, respectively.

Meat prices decreased, with pork and beef down 1.5 percent and 1.1 percent, respectively. Mutton fell 0.8 percent.

Egg prices decreased 2.3 percent, while edible oil remained stable.

Grain prices posted a mild rise, with flour rising 0.3 percent.

Food prices account for about one-third of China's consumer price index (CPI), the main gauge of inflation.

The CPI is expected to hit 2.6 percent in January, higher than the 2.1 percent increase in December.