A domestic producer of organic fertilizer says it is considering trading fertilizer for coal with North Korea.

A source from the manufacturer in Seoul said the company discussed the coal-for-fertilizer swap Friday with a North Korean trade official and an ethnic Korean businessman in Beijing.

Given the good quality of North Korean coal and China's high demand for it, the company said that it is optimistic over the proposed trade and that the North has shown high interest.

In 2003, the North gave high marks to 50 tons of fertilizer sent by the company to the North.