North Korea is expanding its beer exports by promoting multiple brands such as Pyongyang Beer, King Kong Beer, and Tumenjiang Beer, no longer limited to Daedongjiang Beer. In 2025, the amount of beer imported by China from North Korea has more than doubled, and this year it continues to maintain high-speed growth. Analysis shows that beer is becoming a representative consumer product in North Korea, reflecting the country's strategy of diversifying its light industry, revitalizing the regional economy, and earning foreign exchange.
According to the report "Changes in North Korean Economic Policy through Beer" released by the KB Financial Group Management Research Institute in South Korea on August 8, China's imports of North Korean beer surged from $236000 in 2024 to $785000 in 2025, an increase of 232.2%. The cumulative import value from January to May 2026 also reached 545000 US dollars, equivalent to 69.4% of last year's total import value.
Compared to the 6.5% growth in strong liquor exports by 2025, the export of lager eoe beer has grown rapidly. Previously, the overseas sales of North Korean beer mainly focused on Daedongjiang beer, but in recent years, its brand has diversified and developed, covering Pyongyang beer, Fenghe beer, King Kong beer, Longcheng beer, as well as local specialty beers such as Tumenjiang beer, Botao beer, and Miaoxiang beer. Da Dong Jiang Beer is also committed to catering to consumers' tastes, expanding its product line and launching ale beer, wheat beer, and fruit flavored beer.
The institute pointed out that sanctions against North Korea were the background for these changes. The research institute explained that although minerals and seafood are subject to sanctions, the export of food and beverages such as beer is relatively easy and used as a means of obtaining foreign exchange. In addition, the research institute analyzed that North Korea's "localization, diversification, and small-scale production" policy, "20x10 regional development policy," and policies to expand wheat and barley cultivation have also promoted beer production and brand diversification.
Another noteworthy feature is that, driven by the country's strengthened production and export controls after the pandemic, North Korea has vigorously promoted the expansion of official trade through state-owned enterprises. However, export expansion is also limited by some factors, such as the price of North Korean beer being more than twice that of local Chinese beer, limited packaging technology, and shortages of raw materials.
The research institute pointed out that, given the limitations of relying solely on the growth of the Chinese and Russian markets, it is necessary to consider expanding sales channels for North Korean consumer goods by restoring inter Korean trade in the long run. But the institute also added that practical constraints such as sanctions against North Korea and South Korean import regulations still exist.
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