Business · Trade · 2 hrs ago
North Korea more than doubled imports of Chinese alcohol
North Korea more than doubled its imports of Chinese alcohol in the first nine months of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.
The imports were worth about $29.59 million, up from about $12.42 million.
By volume, North Korea brought in 51.42 million litres, nearly two and a half times the previous year's amount.
Beer made up most of the increase, with imports worth about $16.35 million; imports of brandy, whisky and baijiu also rose, while vodka imports fell.
North Korea had sharply reduced trade with China during the COVID-19 border closures, then gradually reopened its borders and resumed trade.
The rise reflects expanding trade between the neighbours, and the opening of the New Yalu River Bridge is expected to support more exchanges.
Trade between North Korea and China is expected to keep growing, though no further import figures are given.
North Korea imported about $29.59 million worth of Chinese alcohol from January through September, more than twice the value in the same period last year.
The import volume rose to 51.42 million litres from 20.77 million litres.
Beer accounted for the largest share, with imports worth about $16.35 million.
Imports of brandy, whisky and baijiu also increased, while vodka imports fell.
The rise coincided with the resumption and expansion of trade between North Korea and China.
- Who
- North Korea.
- What
- It more than doubled imports of Chinese alcohol by value in the first nine months of the year.
- When
- January through September 2026, compared with the same period in 2025.
- Where
- North Korea imported the alcohol from China.
- Why
- The increase appears to coincide with expanding trade between North Korea and China.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
North Korea closed its borders and sharply reduced trade with China.
North Korea gradually reopened its borders and resumed trade with China.
North Korea imported about $29.59 million worth of Chinese alcohol, more than twice the value for the same months in 2025.
- Total import value
- About $29.59 million in January–September 2026
- Year-on-year comparison
- About $12.42 million in January–September 2025
- Total import volume
- 51.42 million litres in January–September 2026
- Beer imports
- About $16.35 million in January–September 2026
- Vodka imports
- About $120,000, down 58% from the same period in 2025