Farm produce prices post mild declines

BEIJING - Farm produce prices posted mild declines last week, the Ministry of Commerce said on Tuesday.

The average price of six types of fruit fell 1.5 percent, compared to a drop of 0.7 percent a week earlier, according to the ministry's website.

Meat prices were broadly lower, with pork falling 1.1 percent. Mutton and beef edged down 0.4 percent and 0.1 percent, respectively.

Changes to grain prices varied. Flour dipped 0.3 percent, while rice increased 0.2 percent.

Vegetable prices rose, partly because rain in the country's southern regions disrupted vegetable supplies.

Rape, garlic and cauliflower jumped 12.2 percent, 10.8 percent and 8.7 percent, respectively.

Food prices account for one-third of the calculation of China's consumer price index (CPI).