In this undated photo, a worker inspects yarn at a textile factory in Qutang town, Haian city, Jiangsu province, which provides jobs for locals. (ZHAI HUIYONG / FOR CHINA DAILY)

BEIJING – China's light industry recorded steady growth in the first four months of the year, data from the China National Light Industry Council show.

Investment in major sectors of the industry logged double-digit growth, with that in six sectors, including agricultural and sideline products processing, food manufacturing and leather, rising more than 20 percent, said the council.

In the same period, the sales of daily necessities saw rapid growth. Retail sales of grain, oil and food as well as beverages, climbed by 9.5 percent and 10.4 percent year on year, respectively.

ALSO READ: China tops in output of over 100 light industry goods

During the first quarter of 2022, the combined operating revenue of light industry firms with annual revenue of at least 20 million yuan ($2.97 million) rose 9.9 percent year on year to 5.41 trillion yuan.

Companies in the light industry raked in total profits of 301.02 billion yuan, up 1.2 percent year on year and reversing the downward trend in the January-February period.