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Russian trade with North Korea in 2020

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 2020: exports, imports, products, dynamics.

Russia’s Trade with North Korea

In 2020, Russia’s trade with North Korea was $42,741,257, down 10.77% ($5,161,072) from 2019.

Russia’s exports to North Korea in 2020 were $42,027,316, down 6.33% ($2,838,513) from 2019.

Russia’s imports from North Korea in 2020 were $713,941, down 76.49% ($2,322,559) from 2019.

Russia’s trade surplus with North Korea in 2020 was $41,313,375, a 1.23% decrease ($515,954) over 2019.

North Korea was Russia’s 139th largest trading partner in 2020 (down from 137th in 2019), accounting for 0.0075% of Russia’s total trade (up from 0.0072% in 2019).

North Korea was Russia’s 125th largest export market in 2020 (down from 120th in 2019), accounting for 0.0125% of Russia’s total exports (up from 0.0106% in 2019).

North Korea was Russia’s 150th largest supplier in 2020 (down from 136th in 2019), accounting for 0.0003% of Russia’s total imports (down from 0.0012% in 2019).

Russia’s Exports to North Korea

The major share of Russian exports to North Korea in 2020 (and in 2019) was accounted for the following product types:

  • Food products and agricultural raw materials (HS codes 01-24) - 59.23% of Russia’s total exports to North Korea (27.43% in 2019);
  • Mineral products (HS codes 25-27) - 26.28% of Russia’s total exports to North Korea (61.27% in 2019);
  • Chemical products (HS codes 28-40) - 9.64% of Russia’s total exports to North Korea (5.84% in 2019);
  • Machinery, equipment and vehicles (HS codes 84-90) - 2.31% of Russia’s total exports to North Korea (4.75% in 2019).

The largest gains in Russia’s exports to North Korea in 2020 over 2019 were recorded for the following product groups:

  • Cereals (HS code 10) - an increase of $11,597,466;
  • Sugars and sugar confectionery (HS code 17) - an increase of $2,489,762;
  • Pharmaceutical products (HS code 30) - an increase of $1,389,430;
  • Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes (HS code 15) - an increase of $233,053.

The largest declines in Russia’s exports to North Korea in 2020 over 2019 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 $16,201,703;
  • Products of the milling industry; malt; starches; inulin; wheat gluten (HS code 11) - a decrease of $1,302,762;
  • Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof (HS code 90) - a decrease of $620,199;
  • Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof (HS code 84) - a decrease of $497,294;
  • Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruits; industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder (HS code 12) - a decrease of $464,074;
  • Salt; sulfur; earths and stone; plastering materials, lime and cement (HS code 25) - a decrease of $240,426.
Russia’s exports to North Korea in 2020 by product groups
HS
code
Name of product group Value of exports
in 2020,
US dollars ($)
Percent share in total export Value of exports
in 2019,
US dollars ($)
Percent change
in 2020
over 2019
01 Live animals 34,923 0.08 80,922-56.84
02 Meat and edible meat offal 151,781 0.36 38,262296.69
03 Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates 0 0.00 109,022-100.00
10 Cereals 15,388,579 36.62 3,791,113305.91
11 Products of the milling industry; malt; starches; inulin; wheat gluten 2,121,422 5.05 3,424,184-38.05
12 Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds and fruits; industrial or medicinal plants; straw and fodder 12,349 0.03 476,423-97.41
15 Animal or vegetable fats and oils and their cleavage products prepared edible fats; animal or vegetable waxes 4,465,588 10.63 4,232,5355.51
17 Sugars and sugar confectionery 2,565,174 6.10 75,4123,301.55
21 Miscellaneous edible preparations 152,781 0.36 61,727147.51
22 Beverages, spirits and vinegar 0 0.00 18,987-100.00
25 Salt; sulfur; earths and stone; plastering materials, lime and cement 52,676 0.13 293,102-82.03
27 Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes 10,992,619 26.16 27,194,322-59.58
30 Pharmaceutical products 3,904,040 9.29 2,514,61055.25
32 Tanning or dyeing extracts; dyes, pigments, paints, varnishes, putty and mastics 8,462 0.02 3,382150.21
33 Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations 6,055 0.01 1,047478.32
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 0 0.00 195-100.00
35 Albuminoidal substances; modified starches; glues; enzymes 4,543 0.01 4,653-2.36
38 Miscellaneous chemical products 61,074 0.15 2,3072,547.33
39 Plastics and articles thereof 32,007 0.08 40,789-21.53
40 Rubber and articles thereof 36,706 0.09 51,942-29.33
42 Articles of leather; saddlery and harness; travel goods, handbags and similar containers; articles of animal gut (other than silkworm gut) 0 0.00 18-100.00
44 Wood and articles of wood; wood charcoal 6,518 0.02 9,934-34.39
52 Cotton 0 0.00 324-100.00
53 Other vegetable textile fibers; paper yarn and woven fabric of paper yarn 209 0.00 45,125.00
59 Impregnated, coated, covered or laminated textile fabrics; textile articles of a kind suitable for industrial use 373 0.00 21077.62
61 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted 0 0.00 510-100.00
62 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted 0 0.00 678-100.00
63 Other made up textile articles; sets; worn clothing and worn textile articles; rags 0 0.00 1,547-100.00
68 Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar materials 0 0.00 42,083-100.00
72 Iron and steel 0 0.00 2,808-100.00
73 Articles of iron or steel 55,212 0.13 89,741-38.48
74 Copper and articles thereof 5,978 0.01 2,214170.01
76 Aluminum and articles thereof 12,635 0.03 134,728-90.62
82 Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal; parts thereof of base metal 12,859 0.03 6,183107.97
83 Miscellaneous articles of base metal 1,746 0.00 4,853-64.02
84 Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof 801,411 1.91 1,298,705-38.29
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 67,097 0.16 120,173-44.17
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 4,698 0.01 27,690-83.03
87 Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof 34,138 0.08 8673,837.49
90 Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof 61,623 0.15 681,822-90.96
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 6,067 0.01 25,251-75.97
96 Miscellaneous manufactured articles 245 0.00 550-55.45
SS Classified 965,728 2.30 0

Russia’s Imports from North Korea

The major share of Russian imports from North Korea in 2020 (and in 2019) was accounted for the following product types:

  • Chemical products (HS codes 28-40) - 30.56% of Russia’s total imports from North Korea (16.33% in 2019);
  • Machinery, equipment and vehicles (HS codes 84-90) - 5.27% of Russia’s total imports from North Korea (23.83% in 2019);
  • Metals and products from them (HS codes 72-83) - 1.67% of Russia’s total imports from North Korea (1.61% in 2019);
  • Textiles, textile products and footwear (HS codes 50-67) - 1.05% of Russia’s total imports from North Korea (0.94% in 2019);
  • Food products and agricultural raw materials (HS codes 01-24) - 0.00% of Russia’s total imports from North Korea (1.08% in 2019).

The largest gains in Russia’s imports from North Korea in 2020 over 2019 were recorded for the following product groups:

  • Plastics and articles thereof (HS code 39) - an increase of $159,468;
  • Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar materials (HS code 68) - an increase of $37,359;
  • 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 (HS code 94) - an increase of $33,085;
  • 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 (HS code 34) - an increase of $13,123;
  • Miscellaneous chemical products (HS code 38) - an increase of $2,741.

The largest declines in Russia’s imports from North Korea in 2020 over 2019 were recorded for the following product groups:

  • Musical instruments; parts and accessories of such articles (HS code 92) - a decrease of $1,323,327;
  • Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof (HS code 84) - a decrease of $569,485;
  • Pharmaceutical products (HS code 30) - a decrease of $422,019;
  • 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 $103,527;
  • Miscellaneous edible preparations (HS code 21) - a decrease of $32,760;
  • Articles of iron or steel (HS code 73) - a decrease of $22,081;
  • Rubber and articles thereof (HS code 40) - a decrease of $21,498;
  • Miscellaneous manufactured articles (HS code 96) - a decrease of $15,220;
  • Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal; parts thereof of base metal (HS code 82) - a decrease of $14,953;
  • Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof (HS code 90) - a decrease of $12,745;
  • Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted (HS code 62) - a decrease of $10,692;
  • Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations (HS code 33) - a decrease of $9,759;
  • Cotton (HS code 52) - a decrease of $7,779;
  • Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted (HS code 61) - a decrease of $2,642.
Russia’s imports from North Korea in 2020 by product groups
HS
code
Name of product group Value of imports in 2020,
US dollars ($)
Percent share in total import Value of imports in 2019,
US dollars ($)
Percent change
in 2020
over 2019
21 Miscellaneous edible preparations 0 0.00 32,760-100.00
28 Inorganic chemicals; organic or inorganic compounds of precious metals, of rare-earth metals,of radioactive elements or of isotopes 0 0.00 1,485-100.00
29 Organic chemicals 4,467 0.63 2,79060.11
30 Pharmaceutical products 0 0.00 422,019-100.00
33 Essential oils and resinoids; perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations 2,715 0.38 12,474-78.23
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 13,123 1.84 0
38 Miscellaneous chemical products 2,847 0.40 1062,585.85
39 Plastics and articles thereof 193,858 27.15 34,390463.70
40 Rubber and articles thereof 1,194 0.17 22,692-94.74
42 Articles of leather; saddlery and harness; travel goods, handbags and similar containers; articles of animal gut (other than silkworm gut) 1,193 0.17 528125.95
48 Paper and paperboard; articles of paper pulp, of paper or of paperboard 0 0.00 128-100.00
49 Printed books, newspapers, pictures and other products of the printing industry; manuscripts, typescripts and plans 0 0.00 1,881-100.00
52 Cotton 0 0.00 7,779-100.00
61 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, knitted or crocheted 1,024 0.14 3,666-72.07
62 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, not knitted or crocheted 5,800 0.81 16,492-64.83
63 Other made up textile articles; sets; worn clothing and worn textile articles; rags 0 0.00 17-100.00
64 Footwear, gaiters and the like; parts of such articles 642 0.09 0
67 Prepared feathers and down and articles made of feathers or of down; artificial flowers; articles of human hair 0 0.00 487-100.00
68 Articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar materials 37,359 5.23 0
69 Ceramic products 956 0.13 0
72 Iron and steel 1,260 0.18 0
73 Articles of iron or steel 675 0.09 22,756-97.03
76 Aluminum and articles thereof 37 0.01 59-37.29
82 Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal; parts thereof of base metal 9,753 1.37 24,706-60.52
83 Miscellaneous articles of base metal 196 0.03 1,233-84.10
84 Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof 17,175 2.41 586,660-97.07
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 16,002 2.24 119,529-86.61
87 Vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock, and parts and accessories thereof 551 0.08 814-32.31
90 Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof 3,925 0.55 16,670-76.45
92 Musical instruments; parts and accessories of such articles 268,475 37.60 1,591,802-83.13
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 126,457 17.71 93,37235.43
95 Toys, games and sports requisites; parts and accessories thereof 4,257 0.60 3,9856.83
96 Miscellaneous manufactured articles 0 0.00 15,220-100.00
Russian foreign trade statistics
Source: Federal Customs Service of Russia