COLOMBO, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Industry and Commerce Ministry said on Wednesday that Sri Lanka aimed to increase its agriculture exports to China after a top Chinese delegation visited the island nation.

The ministry said that a delegation from the China National Agriculture Wholesale Market Association (CAWA) had visited Sri Lanka and expressed keen interest in Sri Lanka's agricultural exports, giving the sector a chance to tap into the massive Chinese market.

"The visit of the China National Agriculture Wholesale Market Association (CAWA) delegation to Sri Lanka opens a huge export opportunity for the Sri Lankan agriculture and fresh produce sector," the ministry said.

CAWA's International Commissioner Kong Jingjie was quoted by the statement as saying that his association was impressed with Sri Lankan fresh produce and as a result was looking for trade and agriculture cooperation with Sri Lanka.

"Not only is the taste of Sri Lankan produce better but also due to European Union standard compliance, the quality of Sri Lankan produce is very high," CAWA Chairman Ma Zengjun said.

"It is very clear that Sri Lankan agriculture and fresh produce supplies can clearly expand in the huge Chinese market due to the competitive pricing of Sri Lankan products, features such as good taste, higher quality and uniqueness," Ma added.

According to statistics from the Department of Commerce, Sri Lanka's total trade with China increased by 3 percent last year to 4.6 billion U.S. dollars from 4.47 billion U.S. dollars in 2016.

Last year, leading Sri Lankan exports to China were ships and boats, apparel, Ceylon Tea and vegetable textile fibers.