China's trade deficit in agricultural products dropped to 490 million U.S. dollars in the first five months, down67.2 percent from the same period last yearas export growth outpaced imports, according to figures from the Ministry of Agriculture.
From January to May, exports of agricultural products rose to 14.42 billion U.S. dollars, up 22.5 percent, while imports rose by12.4 percent to 14.92 billion U.S. dollars.
The total trade volume stood at 29.34 billion U.S. dollars, up 53.4 percent from the same period last year.
According to the ministry, China exported 5.078 million tons ofcereals between January and May, up 53.4 percent, while its cerealimport slid by 51.4 percent to 797,000 tons.
That makes a net cereal exports of 4.281 million tons, up 156 percent.
A breakdown shows exports of rice, corn and wheat grew markedly,while imports of barley declined, the ministry said.
The trade surplus in aquatic products enjoyed a steady increaseto hit 1.91 billion U.S. dollars, up 10.4 percent.
The deficit in livestock products widened in the past five months, up 150 percent from the same period of last year to 910 million U.S. dollars.
The import of live pig products surged 102 percent, and exportswere slightly down by 5.1 percent.
China has seen an outbreak of blue ear pig disease that led to a mass culling in the first half of the year, and it has sent porkprices higher in major cities due to a shortage of pigs.
China first reported a trade deficit in the agriculture sector in 2004. The deficit continued for three consecutive years, dropping from 4.9 billion U.S. dollars in 2004 to 1.5 billion U.S.dollars last year.