Residents in China's capital have paid 74.1 percent more for 40 out of 54 varieties of vegetables this year as a result of price hikes due partly to declining land sown to vegetables and yield reduction in typhoon-ravaged regions.

The price of Chinese cabbage, a traditional staple vegetable for Beijing residents, rose 170.59 percent from last year as supply decreased by 5.1 percent to 76 million kilograms, Monday's Beijing Times reported.

According to the newspaper, two cold currents in early and mid December and frequent typhoons in summer and fall contributed significantly to the decline in the production of vegetables such as including eggplant, cucumber, tomato and sweet bell pepper.

Meanwhile, increasing export of garlic due to price rises on the international market also contributed to the high price level at home.

(Xinhua News Agency December 26, 2005)