China restarted supplying agrochemicals to North Korea

North Korea resumed imports of some commodities from China in March, government data released Tuesday showed, although the nation has still closed its land border with its neighbors amid the spread of the novel coronavirus.

North Korea, whose economy has deteriorated following a plunge in trade with other countries to prevent the virus from entering the nation, imported products including fertilizer and agricultural chemicals from China last month, according to the Chinese data.

The total value of China’s exports to North Korea spiked to $12.98 million in March from about $3,000 in February, topping the $10 million mark for the first time since September, the General Administration of Customs said.

Chemical fertilizer, pesticide, herbicide and related items accounted for around 80 percent of the total exports. China apparently exported goods to North Korea by ship, given that land transportation, such as by railroad, was not confirmed in March.

Without imports of fertilizer from Chinese provinces like Liaoning, which borders the neighboring country, North Korea would suffer food shortage in the aftermath of a possible crop shortfall, foreign affairs experts say.

Source: Kyodo News