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Russian trade in goods with North Korea in Q2 2018

by Russian Foreign Trade
based on data from the Federal Customs Service of Russia
The Report on Russia’s foreign trade in goods with North Korea in the second quarter of 2018: exports, imports, products, dynamics.

Russia’s Trade with North Korea

In the 2nd quarter of 2018, Russia’s trade with North Korea was $5,731,357, down 80.46% ($23,602,427) from the 2nd quarter of 2017.

Russia’s exports to North Korea in the 2nd quarter of 2018 were $5,415,143, down 80.59% ($22,487,112) from the 2nd quarter of 2017.

Russia’s imports from North Korea in the 2nd quarter of 2018 were $316,214, down 77.91% ($1,115,315) from the 2nd quarter of 2017.

Russia’s trade surplus with North Korea in the 2nd quarter of 2018 was $5,098,929, a 80.74% decrease ($21,371,797) over the 2nd quarter of 2017.

North Korea was Russia’s 145th largest trading partner in the 2nd quarter of 2018 (down from 112th in the 2nd quarter of 2017), accounting for 0.0034% of Russia’s total trade (down from 0.0210% in the 2nd quarter of 2017).

North Korea was Russia’s 131st largest export market in the 2nd quarter of 2018 (down from 96th in the 2nd quarter of 2017), accounting for 0.0049% of Russia’s total exports (down from 0.0332% in the 2nd quarter of 2017).

North Korea was Russia’s 140th largest supplier in the 2nd quarter of 2018 (down from 122nd in the 2nd quarter of 2017), accounting for 0.0005% of Russia’s total imports (down from 0.0026% in the 2nd quarter of 2017).

Russia’s Exports to North Korea

The major share of Russian exports to North Korea in the 2nd quarter of 2018 (and in the 2nd quarter of 2017) was accounted for the following product types:

  • Mineral products (HS codes 25-27) - 58.54% of Russia’s total exports to North Korea (81.13% in the 2nd quarter of 2017);
  • Food products and agricultural raw materials (HS codes 01-24) - 32.83% of Russia’s total exports to North Korea (12.85% in the 2nd quarter of 2017);
  • Chemical products (HS codes 28-40) - 6.00% of Russia’s total exports to North Korea (0.88% in the 2nd quarter of 2017);
  • Metals and products from them (HS codes 72-83) - 2.54% of Russia’s total exports to North Korea (3.43% in the 2nd quarter of 2017).

The largest gains in Russia’s exports to North Korea in the 2nd quarter of 2018 over the 2nd quarter of 2017 were recorded for the following product groups:

  • Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes (HS code 15) - an increase of $465,566;
  • Pharmaceutical products (HS code 30) - an increase of $206,453;
  • Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruits; industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder (HS code 12) - an increase of $172,751;
  • Articles of iron or steel (HS code 73) - an increase of $123,934;
  • Plastics and articles thereof (HS code 39) - an increase of $22,401.

The largest declines in Russia’s exports to North Korea in the 2nd quarter of 2018 over the 2nd quarter of 2017 were recorded for the following product groups:

  • Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes (HS code 27) - a decrease of $19,392,388;
  • Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates (HS code 03) - a decrease of $1,347,414;
  • Products of the milling industry; malt; starches; inulin; wheat gluten (HS code 11) - a decrease of $996,297;
  • Iron and steel (HS code 72) - a decrease of $929,898;
  • Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal (HS code 44) - a decrease of $199,795;
  • Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof (HS code 84) - a decrease of $133,198;
  • Fertilizers (HS code 31) - a decrease of $94,050;
  • Salt; sulfur; earths and stone; plastering materials, lime and cement (HS code 25) - a decrease of $73,886;
  • Beverages, spirits and vinegar (HS code 22) - a decrease of $68,089;
  • Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles (HS code 85) - a decrease of $51,964;
  • Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof (HS code 87) - a decrease of $50,868;
  • Rubber and articles thereof (HS code 40) - a decrease of $35,509.
Russia’s exports to North Korea in the 2nd quarter of 2018 by product groups
HS
code
Name of product group Value of exports
in Q2 2018,
US dollars ($)
Percent share in total export Value of exports
in Q2 2017,
US dollars ($)
Percent change
in Q2 2018
over Q2 2017
03 Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates 0 0.00 1,347,414-100.00
04 Dairy produce; birds eggs; natural honey; edible products of animal origin, not elsewhere specified or included 0 0.00 10,920-100.00
10 Cereals 25,432 0.47 38,406-33.78
11 Products of the milling industry; malt; starches; inulin; wheat gluten 690,370 12.75 1,686,667-59.07
12 Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruits; industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder 183,251 3.38 10,5001,645.25
15 Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes 820,002 15.14 354,436131.35
17 Sugars and sugar confectionery 49,985 0.92 56,230-11.11
21 Miscellaneous edible preparations 8,487 0.16 13,048-34.96
22 Beverages, spirits and vinegar 0 0.00 68,089-100.00
25 Salt; sulfur; earths and stone; plastering materials, lime and cement 51,192 0.95 125,078-59.07
27 Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes 3,118,632 57.59 22,511,020-86.15
28 Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic compounds of precious metals, of rare-earth metals,of radioactive elements or of isotopes 0 0.00 7-100.00
29 Organic chemicals 0 0.00 14,318-100.00
30 Pharmaceutical products 282,505 5.22 76,052271.46
31 Fertilizers 0 0.00 94,050-100.00
32 Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes, pigments, paints, varnishes, putty and mastics 0 0.00 1,322-100.00
34 Soap, organic surface-active agents, washing preparations, lubricating preparations, artificial waxes, prepared waxes, polishing or scouring preparations, candles and similar articles, modeling pastes, "dental waxes" and dental preparations with a basis of plaster 18,984 0.35 15,68121.06
38 Miscellaneous chemical products 0 0.00 8,757-100.00
39 Plastics and articles thereof 23,612 0.44 1,2111,849.79
40 Rubber and articles thereof 0 0.00 35,509-100.00
44 Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal 0 0.00 199,795-100.00
48 Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or of paperboard 0 0.00 177-100.00
52 Cotton 0 0.00 540-100.00
54 Man-made filaments 0 0.00 3,174-100.00
59 Impregnated, coated, covered or laminated textile fabrics; textile articles of a kind suitable for industrial use 0 0.00 5,728-100.00
63 Other made up textile articles; sets; worn clothing and worn textile articles; rags 0 0.00 453-100.00
68 Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar materials 0 0.00 2,506-100.00
70 Glass and glassware 0 0.00 3,195-100.00
72 Iron and steel 21 0.00 929,919-100.00
73 Articles of iron or steel 137,468 2.54 13,534915.72
74 Copper and articles thereof 202 0.00 13,132-98.46
82 Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal; parts thereof of base metal 0 0.00 970-100.00
83 Miscellaneous articles of base metal 0 0.00 89-100.00
84 Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof 5,000 0.09 138,198-96.38
85 Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles 0 0.00 51,964-100.00
86 Railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and parts thereof; railway or tramway track fixtures and fittings and parts thereof; mechanical (including electro-mechanical) traffic signalling equipment of all kinds 0 0.00 7,081-100.00
87 Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof 0 0.00 50,868-100.00
90 Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof 0 0.00 6,478-100.00
94 Furniture; bedding, mattresses, mattress supports, cushions and similar stuffed furnishings; lamps and lighting fittings, not elsewhere specified or included; illuminated sign illuminated nameplates and the like; prefabricated buildings 0 0.00 3,886-100.00
96 Miscellaneous manufactured articles 0 0.00 1,853-100.00

Russia’s Imports from North Korea

The major share of Russian imports from North Korea in the 2nd quarter of 2018 (and in the 2nd quarter of 2017) was accounted for the following product types:

  • Chemical products (HS codes 28-40) - 23.24% of Russia’s total imports from North Korea (28.15% in the 2nd quarter of 2017);
  • Machinery, equipment and vehicles (HS codes 84-90) - 9.07% of Russia’s total imports from North Korea (6.76% in the 2nd quarter of 2017);
  • Textiles, textile products and footwear (HS codes 50-67) - 1.95% of Russia’s total imports from North Korea (28.74% in the 2nd quarter of 2017);
  • Metals and products from them (HS codes 72-83) - 0.29% of Russia’s total imports from North Korea (25.52% in the 2nd quarter of 2017).

The largest gains in Russia’s imports from North Korea in the 2nd quarter of 2018 over the 2nd quarter of 2017 were recorded for the following product groups:

  • Musical instruments; parts and accessories of such articles (HS code 92) - an increase of $53,301;
  • Albuminoidal substances; modified starches; glues; enzymes (HS code 35) - an increase of $2,100;
  • Man-made staple fibers (HS code 55) - an increase of $1,375.

The largest declines in Russia’s imports from North Korea in the 2nd quarter of 2018 over the 2nd quarter of 2017 were recorded for the following product groups:

  • Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted (HS code 62) - a decrease of $371,554;
  • Miscellaneous chemical products (HS code 38) - a decrease of $199,238;
  • Articles of iron or steel (HS code 73) - a decrease of $192,653;
  • Iron and steel (HS code 72) - a decrease of $167,953;
  • Plastics and articles thereof (HS code 39) - a decrease of $85,746;
  • Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations (HS code 33) - a decrease of $46,346;
  • Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof (HS code 87) - a decrease of $41,404;
  • Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted (HS code 61) - a decrease of $35,029;
  • Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles (HS code 85) - a decrease of $15,690;
  • Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof (HS code 84) - a decrease of $7,470;
  • Nickel and articles thereof (HS code 75) - a decrease of $3,676;
  • Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof (HS code 90) - a decrease of $3,570.
Russia’s imports from North Korea in the 2nd quarter of 2018 by product groups
HS
code
Name of product group Value of imports in Q2 2018,
US dollars ($)
Percent share in total import Value of imports in Q2 2017,
US dollars ($)
Percent change
in Q2 2018
over Q2 2017
33 Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations 337 0.11 46,683-99.28
35 Albuminoidal substances; modified starches; glues; enzymes 2,100 0.66 0
37 Photographic or cinematographic goods 0 0.00 62-100.00
38 Miscellaneous chemical products 0 0.00 199,238-100.00
39 Plastics and articles thereof 71,032 22.46 156,778-54.69
40 Rubber and articles thereof 16 0.01 148-89.19
42 Articles of leather; saddlery and harness; travel goods, handbags and similar containers; articles of animal gut (other than silkworm gut) 191 0.06 1834.37
55 Man-made staple fibers 1,375 0.43 0
56 Wadding, felt and nonwovens; special yarns, twine, cordage, ropes and cables and articles thereof 0 0.00 237-100.00
59 Impregnated, coated, covered or laminated textile fabrics; textile articles of a kind suitable for industrial use 0 0.00 7-100.00
61 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted 4,549 1.44 39,578-88.51
62 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted 0 0.00 371,554-100.00
63 Other made up textile articles; sets; worn clothing and worn textile articles; rags 229 0.07 171,247.06
68 Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar materials 0 0.00 624-100.00
69 Ceramic products 0 0.00 310-100.00
72 Iron and steel 0 0.00 167,953-100.00
73 Articles of iron or steel 911 0.29 193,564-99.53
74 Copper and articles thereof 0 0.00 70-100.00
75 Nickel and articles thereof 0 0.00 3,676-100.00
84 Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof 1,348 0.43 8,818-84.71
85 Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles 13,434 4.25 29,124-53.87
87 Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof 13,901 4.40 55,305-74.86
90 Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof 0 0.00 3,570-100.00
92 Musical instruments; parts and accessories of such articles 206,200 65.21 152,89934.86
95 Toys, games and sports requisites; parts and accessories thereof 219 0.07 301-27.24
96 Miscellaneous manufactured articles 372 0.12 830-55.18
Russian foreign trade statistics
Source: Federal Customs Service of Russia