BEIJING — Trade in agricultural products between China and Russia reached a record high of $5.55 billion last year, China's Ministry of Commerce said on Jan 28.

China's agricultural imports from Russia hit $4.09 billion in 2020, up 13.7 percent year-on-year, Gao Feng, spokesperson for the ministry, said at a regular online press conference.

China has become Russia's largest export market in terms of farm produce and meat, Gao said.

Bilateral trade picked up during the second half of last year. China's imports of bulk commodities such as oil, gas and iron ore from Russia increased significantly, while its exports of electronic devices to Russia also grew rapidly.

China has been Russia's largest trading partner for 11 consecutive years, while Russia is China's 10th largest trading partner.

China will continue to strengthen cooperation with Russia to fight the COVID-19 epidemic and boost bilateral trade, Gao said.