Organic farming and production in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, China's major grain producer, currently covers 2.32 million hectares.

This is 9.48 times the figure in 1999, according to statistics released at the ongoing 16th China Harbin Fair for Trade and Economic Cooperation in Harbin.

The province produces 839 varieties of organic food, including dairy products and beverages.

Organic food output reached 11.1 million tons at the end of last year, 10.5 times more than in 1999. The output value of organic food totaled 32.7 billion yuan (US$3.95 billion) at the end of last year, nine times more than in 1999.

Heilongjiang will expand its organic food acreage to 3.33 million hectares by the year 2010.

Since 2000, the province has invested 275 million yuan (US$33.25 million) to support the organic food industry.

(Xinhua News Agency June 17, 2005)