Active Development AidData Chinese Aid

Chinese Government provides 500,000 tons of corn at a discounted rate in 2011 (Linked to Record ID#63063)

$77.58M USD

Funder	Unspecified Chinese Government Institution
Recipient Organization	Government of North Korea
Country	Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Start Date	Aug 15, 2011
End Date	May 03, 2032
Duration	7,567 days
Number of Grantees	1
Roles	Recipient
Data Source	AidData Chinese Aid
Grant ID	`63008`

Grant Description

During May 2011, when North Korean leader Kim Jong-il visited China, the Chinese Government agreed to provide 200,000 tons of fertilizers free of charge (captured via Record ID#63063) and 500,000 tons of corn at a discounted rate (captured via Record ID#63008) in exchange for rights to North Korea’s natural resources.

The estimated monetary value of the fertilizer donation is $95,100,000. The Chinese Government agreed to sell the 500,000 tons of corn for half of the prevailing international price. The estimated monetary value of the corn donation is $77,575,000.

In exchange, North Korea reportedly agreed to hand over 50 percent of extracted rare earth minerals free of charge to China, with the rest to be sold to China at international prices.

📋 Staff Comments

To estimate the monetary value of the fertilizer donation ($95,100,000), AidData takes the international price of a ton of urea fertilizer in August 2011 ($475.50) and multiplies it by 200,000 tons. To estimate the monetary value of the corn donation ($77,575,000), AidData first takes the international price of a ton of maize in August 2011 ($310.30) and multiplies it by 500,000 tons, and then divides this figure by two.
North Korea is estimated to have around 20 million tons of rare earth minerals, which are vital in the production of high-tech goods.

📚 Sources & References

North got fertilizer on Kim’s trip to China
Fertilizer prices expected to remain higher for longer
Global price of Corn (PMAIZMTUSDM) Loan applications and disbursements are still being received and processed as the projects continue to evolve. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation are in place to ensure project continuity.