The industrial production of China's chemical sector increased 2.4 percent year on year in the first two months, and the falling trend for major product's output was eased, according to data released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) on Friday.

The figure was calculated based on the comparable working days in the first two months, since China's Lunar New Year holiday fell in February last year, but in January this year.

Zhu Hongren, official with the MIIT said although the output expansion was marginal, the contracting trend for the production of major chemical products was eased.

Of the major 30 chemical products monitored by the ministry, 21 saw output falling in the first two months, but the falling rate was tempered from that in December. In addition, three products saw output get back to growth.

To support the annual "Spring Plough" season, the output of major three chemical fertilizer rose 4.6 percent to 8.75 million tonnes through January to February.

The pesticide production grew 9.1 percent to 394,000 tonnes in the first two months, and that for February alone jumped 14.4 percent.

Zhu Hongren said despite of the easing contraction, it was too early to be optimistic, citing the chemical industry faced the most difficult condition comparing with other raw material producing sectors.

China's industrial output rose 5.2 percent year on year in the first two months, with the growth slowing from December, MIIT said last week.

The figure was 0.5 percentage point lower than in December, dragged down by plummeting exports and high inventories, according to MIIT.

Experts said the figure showed Chinese industry was still feeling the pinch of the global downturn.

(Xinhua News Agency April 4, 2009)