North Korean imports of Chinese cereals spiked sharply in July, rising to the highest levels seen in years, China’s latest trade figures show.

The numbers compiled by the ITC Trade Map from China’s General Administration of Customs show DPRK cereal imports rising from $3.4 million in value in June to over $19 million the following month.

The monthly spike is irregular given that DPRK imports have hovered at around the $2 million to $3 million mark for years, with average shipments rarely drifting outside a relatively modest range.

Historical data collated by the Korea International