This is the horrifying moment a dust devil tornado uprooted market stalls in China.

Locals watched in shock as the wind vortex formed in the bustling market, sending booths flying through the air in Yantai, Shandong Province.

Footage shows debris swirling across the area as the twister touched down, hurling market goods skyward and ripping canvas roofs from their frames on May 27.

Witnesses said fruits and vegetables were launched into the air like missiles, describing the phenomenon as ‘raining produce'.

The filmer recalled that the weather had been unusually calm and sunny just moments before the dust devil struck.

Authorities cordoned off the area shortly after to prevent further injuries.

Emergency services treated several people for minor injuries at the scene, while a few others were taken to the hospital for observation.

Tornadoes are relatively rare in China, but local meteorologists say such sudden weather events have become more frequent in recent years.

Officials have urged improvements to weather warning systems following a string of unexpected climate incidents this spring.

Dust devil tornadoes are types of whirlwinds that form when the sun heats a patch of land, and the air above becomes warmer and rises quickly.

Cooler air then moves into the low-pressure gap left by the rising warm air. The new drafts of cooler air also heat up and rise and the cycle continues, picking up dust and debris and making the spiral visible.

They are not as dangerous as supercell tornadoes, which can cause severe damage.