(Yicai Global) March 5 -- China's mainland stock markets continued climbing in the afternoon as the three main benchmarks all closed at nearly 2 percent higher, led by food-related shares. 

The Shanghai Composite Index ended up 1.99 percent at 3,071.68. The Shenzhen Component Index was at 11,711.37, up 1.90 percent and the ChiNext Price Index, which tracks growth enterprises in Shenzhen, rose 1.85 percent to 2,209.59.

The day's trading volume also grew to more than CNY1 trillion (USD144.2 billion) from yesterday's CNY992 billion after remaining above this key metric for ten trading days before that.

Shares in the food, agriculture and liquor sectors surged fastest on all markets, with most gaining more than 3 percent, leaving software developers and other tech firms in their dust.

Editor: Ben Armour