(Yicai Global) Feb. 20 -- China's mainland stock markets opened higher, as agriculture shares led the gainers with an over 2 percent rise, fertilized by fears of higher food prices ahead as the Covid-19 epidemic snarls transport of farm supplies and stalls recovery of hog herds decimated by last year's African swine fever, even as locusts swarm in countries to the west of China.

The Shanghai Composite Index started off at 2,981.88, up 0.22 percent, while the Shenzhen Component Index opened 0.39 percent up at 11,278.87. The ChiNext Price Index, which tracks growth enterprises in Shenzhen, rose 0.56 percent to 2,151.42.

Editor: Ben Armour