The Chinese population is developing a growing taste for organically grown food, figures from the Ministry of Commerce show.

According to the latest statistics, about 60 per cent of the country's estimated 550 million city dwellers are prepared to pay more for organic produce.

Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, has taken full advantage of China's growing trend towards organic food and drink.

The firm said that sales of organic vegetables at one of its Beijing stores jumped by nearly 90 per cent in 2006.

Elizabeth Harrington, of E Harrington Global, a US-based firm that carried out the research for the Commerce Ministry, told Bloomberg News: "Chinese consumers really are serious about safe and organic foods, and they're willing to pay for them.

"Part of it is the negative publicity that has come out in recent years about everything from fake foods to contaminated baby foods to pesticides in apples."

A recent survey by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) revealed that China accounts for the world’s third largest certified organic surface area.

China, with 2.3 million hectares, was behind Australia (11.8 million hectares) and Argentina (3.1 million hectares).

The global market for organic products reached a value of 25.5bn euros in 2005, with the vast majority of products being consumed in North America and Europe, figures from market research firm Organic Monitor show.

For 2006, the value of the global organic market is expected to break through the 30bn euros barrier.

Healthy growth rates are expected to continue in the coming years, Organic Monitor said.