North Korean exports to China faltered slightly in July after what seemed like a slow-but-steady recovery following a COVID-19-related trade crash in early 2020, according to data from China’s General Customs Administration (GAC).

North Korea exported only 20 kinds of products to China in July, which amounted to a total value of $7,978,243. That’s a significant decrease from last month’s 30 products totaling $9,123,682 — and it’s a meaningful change of direction considering that North Korean exports to China increased every single month since the March 2020 crash.

Exports to China began to drop in early Jan