North Korea has dramatically increased its imports of grain from China.

Korea Rural Economic Institute Vice-President Kwon Tae-jin said Korea imported 47-thousand tons of grain in August based on a report of North Korea-China trade published by the Korea International Trade Association.

This boost in volume is an increase of 147-percent from the 19-thousand tons of grain imported in July, and a 186-percent jump from the 16-thousand tons imported in August last year.

North Korea’s grain imports from China last month mark its second-highest grain import volume this year.

Kwon said it appears North Korea drastically increased grain imports in August ahead of the fall harvest due to low grain inventories.