China-North Korea first-half trade at record low amid pandemic and food shortages
- China’s exports to its neighbour fall more than 85 per cent in the first six months of the year
- FAO predicts that Pyongyang could face a ‘harsh, lean period’ as early as next month
China’s exports to North Korea fell by 85.2 per cent year on year to US$56.77 million in the first six months of 2021, according to Chinese customs data released on Sunday.
It was the lowest figure since China started releasing the data in 2001.
China imported US$8.96 million of goods from its neighbour over the same period, down 67.3 per cent from a year earlier and another record low.
The sharp decline comes after North Korea doubled down on its border controls last month as fast-spreading coronavirus variants extended their reach around the world.
At the same time, Pyongyang has faced growing food shortages and economic instability at home.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un warned last month that the agricultural sector failed to meet grain production targets because of typhoon damage last year, and the country’s food situation was “getting intense”, according to state media.