China's farm produce prices slightly higher

BEIJING -- The price index for China's farm produce rose slightly in the week ending Jan. 14 compared with the previous week, according to a Ministry of Commerce statement.

The price index edged up 0.5 percent in the past week, with growth retreating 1.1 percentage points from the rate seen a week earlier.

The wholesale price of pork went up 0.5 percent, while the cost of beef and mutton rose 0.5 percent and 0.9 percent, respectively.

The average wholesale price of aquatic products went down 0.8 percent and the cost of rice rose 0.4 percent.

The average wholesale price of 30 kinds of vegetables picked up 0.9 percent from a week earlier and that of eggs was up 1.2 percent.

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

The CPI rose 1.8 percent year on year in December, slightly up from 1.7 percent for November, official data showed.