North Korea has imported much less fertilizer so far this year compared to the same period in previous years, newly released customs data shows, a conspicuous absence of a key input right ahead of the country’s planting seasons.

According to China’s General Administration of Customs (GAC), North Korea imported just $2 million worth of fertilizer between January and March this year, all of which came in February. This compares to $9.2 million worth of fertilizer in March 2021, representing a nearly 80% decline year-over-year despite higher overall trade levels this year.

The latest import figures