BEIJING - China's light industry grew steadily in the first three quarters of 2012, with the output of major enterprises rising 17.6 percent year-on-year to 12.93 trillion yuan ($2.05 trillion), new data has showed.

In September, output in light industry rose 17 percent from a year earlier to 1.64 trillion yuan, up 1.8 percentage points from August, according to a statement posted on the website of the China National Light Industry Council late this week.

Output of ceramics and solar cells plunged in September, due to lingering global economic uncertainties and anti-dumping investigations launched by the European Union into the two types of products, the statement said.

Investment in light industry slowed during the first eight months, because of shrinking export orders caused by the sluggish external demand.

However, investment in the food manufacturing and processing industries remained high during the period, with the growth rate exceeding 30 percent in liquor, drink and tea sectors.