(Yicai Global) April 17 -- China's agriculture sector led mainland stock markets into the lunch break today after data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs showed pork prices were back on the up following several African swine fever outbreaks during the first quarter.

The sector was up 2.94 percent when the half-time break began.

The Shanghai Composite Index was on par with yesterday's close at 3,253.76 going into lunch, while the Shenzhen Component Index was 0.21 percent higher at 10,309.55. The ChiNext Price Index, which tracks growth enterprises in Shenzhen, was up more than 1 percent at 1,714.63.

Editor: James Boynton