Chinese food exports to North Korea - both staples and snacks - have increased massively over the past year, hinting at the isolated regimes growing reliance on its only ally.

Chinese customs data showed a surge in exports of nearly 30 items, with corn increasing 32-fold from 400 tonnes to nearly 12,724 tonnes, bananas from just over 63.4 tonnes to 1,156 tonnes and wheat powder from less than 0.6 tonnes to 7.6 tonnes.

Although the international community recently agreed to punish North Korea over its nuclear programme, food exports were excluded from the UN sanctions in the hope of ensuring a minimum living standard for the countrys citizens.

The increase in exports coincides with a food production shortage in the hermit state due to natural disasters like floods.