Crop sees spike in price

The prices of agriculture produce in China have skyrocketed since the end of the Spring Festival, Economic Information reported Tuesday.

The spot price of maize has quickened its rising pace since March, hitting a record high in central Liaoning where the procurement price of dried maize struck around 2,330 yuan ($368.5) per ton on March 19, up 10 to 30 units over its peak in 2011, according to figures published by Bric Global Agricultural Consultants, an information provider committed to conducting research and in-depth analysis in the Chinese agricultural sector.

Lin Guofa, the company's analyst, said the current scramble for maize in China, especially in its north-eastern area, has resulted from the fast-growing production capacity, the booming demand for animal feed and the rising farming costs in the last two years.

Scallion, an under-consumed vegetable, has joined the ranks of pricier crop since mid-February. On March 18, its price was monitored to rise 80 percent year-on-year, the report said.

But farmers need to be cautious about their decision to grow more scallions as the warmer weather and the potential oversupply will probably push down the market price, warned Tan Moxiao, economic analyst at Xinhua News Agency.

In addition, white radish, cabbage, celery, tomato, aubergine and Chinese leaves are all sold at the same price level as during the Spring Festival, or higher.