Fabrics, wigs and soybean dominated North Korea-China exchanges in 2025, according to NK Pro analysis of trade data, while the DPRK’s rice deliveries hit a multi-year high in the final month of the year.

The latest data from China’s General Administration of Customs (GAC) also shows that North Korea imported some $13.4 million worth of illicit goods throughout 2025. The figure represents an over twofold increase from some $5.5 million in 2024.

North Korea’s imports of leisure or sports goods included water park equipment worth some $2.2 million, billiard accessories worth $1.8 million, various balls worth $2.9 million, water skis