North Korea is China’s biggest foreign wine market for fourth year in a row



Analysis North Korea is China’s biggest foreign wine market for fourth year in a row DPRK sources wine through bulk imports at low cost, which likely makes its way to domestic bottlers and distributors Veronica Hou August 14, 2026 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON A waitress serves wine in North Korea \| Image: NK Pro North Korea was the largest market overseas for Chinese wine by volume in the first half of 2026, ranking second only to the territory of Hong Kong for the fourth year in a row, according to NK Pro analysis. Monthly data published by China’s General Administration of Customs (GAC) shows North Korea imported 442,311 liters (nearly 15 million fluid ounces) — the equivalent of almost 590,000 standard wine bottles — between January and June. The amount was more than the next three countries — Singapore, South Korea and Japan — combined, and represented a 23.79% increase relative to the same period last year Read More © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. LATEST ANALYSIS 01All the missiles and weapons at North Korea’s new ‘defense revolution’ museum 02Why the inter-Korean border remains unmarked, despite military risks 03How the DMZ blasts unfolded, from mine laying to North Korean denials 04North Korean TV airs outdated map laying claim to South Korean border islands 05How North Korea’s newest ‘hypersonic’ missile could foil adversary defenses 06Crossing the Yalu: Why China and North Korea want to open long-stalled bridge 07A decade apart, two DMZ mine blasts highlight a new inter-Korean reality 08Chinese authorities seize smuggled goods bound for North Korea: records

Analysis

North Korea is China’s biggest foreign wine market for fourth year in a row

DPRK sources wine through bulk imports at low cost, which likely makes its way to domestic bottlers and distributors

Veronica Hou August 14, 2026

North Korea is China’s biggest foreign wine market for fourth year in a row

A waitress serves wine in North Korea | Image: NK Pro

North Korea was the largest market overseas for Chinese wine by volume in the first half of 2026, ranking second only to the territory of Hong Kong for the fourth year in a row, according to NK Pro analysis.

Monthly data published by China’s General Administration of Customs (GAC) shows North Korea imported 442,311 liters (nearly 15 million fluid ounces) — the equivalent of almost 590,000 standard wine bottles — between January and June.

The amount was more than the next three countries — Singapore, South Korea and Japan — combined, and represented a 23.79% increase relative to the same period last year

01All the missiles and weapons at North Korea’s new ‘defense revolution’ museum
02Why the inter-Korean border remains unmarked, despite military risks
03How the DMZ blasts unfolded, from mine laying to North Korean denials
04North Korean TV airs outdated map laying claim to South Korean border islands
05How North Korea’s newest ‘hypersonic’ missile could foil adversary defenses
06Crossing the Yalu: Why China and North Korea want to open long-stalled bridge
07A decade apart, two DMZ mine blasts highlight a new inter-Korean reality
08Chinese authorities seize smuggled goods bound for North Korea: records

North Korea is China’s biggest foreign wine market for fourth year in a row

LATEST ANALYSIS

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Veronica Hou