Beijing exported US$160 million worth of foodstuffs in the first quarter of the year, up 30.4 percent on a year-on-year basis.

Japan and the United States are two main markets of the exported food from Beijing. And Beijing's food export to Japan were worth US$51.48 million from January to March, a rise of 30.2 percent, while its food export to the United State stood at US$13.32 million, almost triple comparable figure of last year, said sources from Beijing Customshouse.

Food export to Africa and Latin America has been on rise steadily, said the sources.

Solely overseas-financed companies, as well as private Chinese companies are players of the national capital's food export, which are made up by cereals, vegetables and fruits, according to the sources.

(Xinhua News Agency April 22, 2004)