BEIJING — China posted a larger trade deficit in farm produce in the first seven months of 2019, official data showed.

Farm produce trade deficit increased 13.7 percent year-on-year to reach $41.5 billion in the January-July period, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

Imports stood at $84.8 billion, up 4.4 percent year-on-year, while exports dipped 3.1 percent to $43.3 billion.

Total trade in farm produce grew 1.7 percent year-on-year to $128.1 billion in the period, the ministry said on its website.