Most of the capital goods monitored by the government posted lower prices in mid-May compared with early May this year, official data showed Tuesday.

Of the 50 major goods monitored by the government, including seamless steel tubes, gasoline, coal, fertilizer and some agricultural products mainly used for processing, 23 saw their prices increase, while 27 posted lower prices, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

Hog price went up 4 percent during the period to 15.5 yuan (2.3 U.S. dollars) per kg.

The reading, released every 10 days, is based on a survey of nearly 2,000 wholesalers and distributors in 31 provincial-level regions.