China's southernmost province of Hainan, a traditional exporter of aquatic produce, saw a sharp rise in foreign sales last year, according to local customs sources.

In 2006, Hainan sold abroad 73,500 tons of aquatic products, valued at US$212 million, a growth of 78 percent year on year.

Aquatic products accounted for 81 percent of the province's total exports of farm produce, the local customs sources said.

Last year Hainan's foreign trade amounted to US$2.85 billion, up almost 10 percent over the previous year. The total included US$1.38 billion in exports, up 34.5 percent, and US$1.47 billion in imports, down six percent.

Of the total trade volume, farm produce made up US$297 million, or 10 percent, up 65 percent.

Exports of farm produce went up more than 70 percent to US$258 million, or 20 percent of the province's total.

The local customs sources said the European Union, Hong Kong and the United States were the top three trade partners of Hainan.

(Xinhua News Agency January 31, 2007)