China is encouraging more supermarkets to buy directly from food producers to cut out the middleman and benefit consumers, a government official said on December 4.

The government wants supermarkets to buy 30 percent, compared with the current 15 percent, of their Chinese agricultural products directly from producers during the 2011-15 period, said Chang Xiaocun, Director of the Department of Market System Development under the Ministry of Commerce.

If this target is met, supermarkets will save about 15 percent of their purchase cost. It is hoped that supermarkets would pass the savings on to benefit growers and consumers alike, Chang said.

The ministry will strengthen infrastructure construction, including the founding of large wholesale markets for agricultural products, improve trade, storage, processing facilities and the construction of frozen facilities.