North Korea’s trade with China sees H1 jump despite monthly slump: data

Pyongyang and Beijing continued sanctioned trade amid growing exchanges of fabrics, human hair and other usual drivers

Anton Sokolin
July 20, 2026

North Korea’s trade with China sees H1 jump despite monthly slump: data

A Chinese cargo truck parked on the North Korean side of the border in the center of the Hyesan-Changbai bridge | Image: Weibo (Oct. 10, 2024)

North Korea saw its monthly trade with China dip in June, Beijing government data showed Monday, while showing an on-year uptick in volume in the first half of 2026.

Nearly $252 million worth of goods were turned over by the two countries last month, with Pyongyang’s exports and imports standing at $37 million and $215 million, respectively, according to China’s General Administration of Customs (GAC).

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