(Yicai Global) Oct. 13 -- China has become the world's largest apple producer, state-run Xinhua news agency reported, citing information from the 10th International Apple Expo in Luochuan, Sha'anxi.

China has been developing the agriculture industry in recent years, said Bi Meijia, head of the Ministry of Agriculture's Department of Personnel and Labor.

The apple industry has enjoyed steady growth with constantly improving quality, product mix and competitiveness, Bi said. Chinese apple production accounts for about 50 percent of the global market in terms of planting area and yield, and the country is moving from a major apple producer to an apple industry powerhouse, with ever-increasing demand for both direct consumption and processing, he said. China is a leading apple exporter, said Bi.

Sha'anxi has ranked No.1 in China in terms of fruit production scale for years, said Feng Xinzhu, vice governor of the province. "This year, the apple planting area in Sha'anxi has reached 11 million mu (1.8 million acres), and the estimated yield will be more than 11 million tons, accounting for one fourth of China and one seventh of the world," Feng said.