China's trade in farm products grew steadily in 2005 to reach 55.8 billion U.S. dollars, reducing the trade deficit by 70 percent in a year, the Chinese Minister of Agriculture has said.

Briefing the Standing Committee of the 10th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, on Saturday, Minister Du Qinglin said exports of farm products topped 27.18 billion U.S. dollars in 2005, up 17.7 percent on the previous year.

Imports rose 2.4 percent to reach 28.65 billion U.S. dollars, Du said, adding that the trade deficit was under control, dropping from 4.88 billion U.S. dollars in 2004 to 1.47 billion in 2005.

Despite a heavy blow to domestic poultry raisers following the bird flu outbreak, the export of poultry and related products rose 26.6 percent to reach 1.35 billion U.S. dollars last year, he added.

Though trade of farm products developed well in 2005, most of China's farm products were not so competitive in the international market, with the technical trade barriers increasing, Du said.

Source: Xinhua