North Korea turns to China for cement as domestic output falls short
North Korea has significantly increased imports of Chinese cement since May 2026, as a sweeping regional construction campaign strains domestic production beyond its limits, Daily NK has learned. A source in Jagang province told Daily NK on Monday that cement shipments moving through border crossing
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North Korea has significantly increased imports of Chinese cement since May 2026, as a sweeping regional construction campaign strains domestic production beyond its limits, Daily NK has learned.
A source in Jagang province told Daily NK on Monday that cement shipments moving through border crossings along the Yalu River have risen noticeably since early April. “There are so many construction projects right now that domestic cement output simply cannot keep up with demand,” the source said.
According to the source, the crossings in question connect Chinese border towns to key entry points on the North Korean side: the Changdian Hekou crossing links to the area near Supung Dam in Sakju county, North Pyongan province; the Ji’an crossing serves the Manpo and Jasung areas of Jagang province; and the Linjiang crossing connects to the Junggang area, also in Jagang province. Inflows of Chinese-made construction materials through all three have risen sharply in recent weeks.
Rising demand drives a turn to Chinese supplies
The surge in imports tracks directly to the so-called “20×10 Regional Development Policy,” a signature Kim Jong Un initiative launched at the Ninth Congress of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK), North Korea’s ruling party, in 2024, that calls for constructing new factories, hospitals, service centers, and apartment buildings in 20 counties per year for 10 consecutive years. As construction activity has spread across the country, internal demand for cement has soared.
Sources say the mountainous terrain of Jagang province compounds the problem. Transporting cement from the Sunchon Cement Complex in South Pyongan province or the Sangwon Cement Complex in North Hwanghae province involves substantial freight costs that make domestically produced cement difficult to secure reliably. “Domestically produced cement is already in short supply, and the price keeps climbing with each leg of the journey,” the source said. “For areas close to the border, importing Chinese cement has become the more practical option.”
Quality concerns are also driving the shift. North Korean cement factories, under pressure to meet state-mandated output targets, have reportedly been rushing production in ways that compromise quality. Chinese cement, by contrast, has earned a reputation on building sites for superior strength and workability. “Domestic cement often lacks strength, and there are significant losses during transport due to packaging and storage problems,” the source said. “Chinese cement costs a little more, but the quality and packaging are far better.”
Chinese cement currently trades at around 380 Chinese yuan (approximately $52) per metric ton, making it more expensive than the North Korean alternative. Even so, builders appear willing to pay the premium. “Right now, finishing construction quickly matters more than cutting costs,” the source said. “The preference for Chinese materials is especially pronounced on projects being showcased as political achievements.”
Beyond cement, the source said border crossings have also seen increased inflows of steel and excavation equipment in recent weeks. “Local construction projects keep expanding, but domestic materials have their limits,” the source said. “Since demand exists, imports of construction materials and equipment will likely keep rising for the foreseeable future.”
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