Rising Food Prices in North Korea (NK): Concerns About the Cost of Survival

 (Park, 2017)

While NK can make international headlines for military and political tension involvement, a separate issue is seriously impacting the lives of its citizens. That is, the rising cost of food. In October 2026, reports revealed that rice prices had increased again in NK markets, raising concerns about how ordinary families are managing the cost of these basic, daily necessities. With the autumn harvest currently in progress, the new rice supply has been on the slower end to reach consumer markets leaving the prices high. For families already struggling to afford food, even a temporary increase can make everyday life more difficult.

Diminishing Food Affordability 

(Montian Noowong, n.d.)

According to Daily NK (2026), a kilogram of rice in a Pyongyang market cost 43,500 North Korean won on October 11, marking a 6.6% increase from two weeks earlier. Similar increases were reported in Sinuiju and Hyesan, suggesting that the problem was not limited to the capital. Meanwhile, corn prices fell as newly harvested supplies became available. Since corn is a cheaper staple for many North Koreans, this difference is particularly important for lower-income households.

The issue unfortunately extends beyond these recent price changes. In August, ASIAPRESS reported that the price of white rice had increased almost sevenfold between early 2023 and June 2026. Its research also found that the monthly wages of many state-enterprise workers were only enough to purchase a small amount of rice at prevailing prices (Hong & Kang, 2026). These figures highlight a serious concern that even when food is available in markets, people may not have enough money to purchase it; going hungry.

Why are Costs Rising?

 (Yonhap, 2023)

Part of the recent increase appears to be related to the timing of the autumn harvest. Although harvesting has begun, rice must still be dried, milled and transported before large quantities can reach market stalls (Jang, 2026). As a result, the supply of rice has not yet caught up with demand. Corn, on the other hand, has reached markets more quickly, contributing to its falling price (Jang, 2026).

However, the situation can’t be understood solely through harvest conditions. Food affordability also depends on wages, market stability, people's ability to access supplies, and many other factors. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO, 2026) reported that weather conditions had generally been favourable for North Korea's main food crops in 2026, suggesting that crop production prospects were relatively positive. Yet favourable growing conditions do not automatically mean that every household can afford enough food. The difference between food being produced and food being accessible is an important part of understanding food insecurity.

Behind these statistics are families who must make difficult decisions about how to spend their limited income. When rice becomes more expensive, households may have to purchase cheaper alternatives, reduce the amount of food they buy or spend less on other necessities. For families already living on tight budgets, these choices can have consequences for nutrition and overall well-being.

The situation also raises questions about the reliability of food access in North Korea. Prices can fluctuate considerably depending on supply, government policies and conditions in local markets. Although lower corn prices may provide some relief, they do not necessarily resolve the broader problem of affordability. Furthermore, reports based on market surveys cannot tell us exactly how every household is coping, particularly in areas where information is difficult to get.

Moving Forward

Whether food affordability improves will depend partly on how quickly the new rice harvest reaches markets and whether supplies remain stable in the coming months. The FAO's relatively positive assessment of crop conditions offers some reason for optimism, but production alone is not enough to guarantee food security.

Ultimately, the rising cost of rice highlights a concern that can easily be overlooked when attention is focused on North Korea's political and military activities. Food is a basic necessity, yet its affordability remains uncertain for many people. While the recent price increases may be partly temporary, they raise a larger question about how ordinary North Koreans can maintain access to adequate food when wages struggle to keep pace with the cost of living.

References

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2026, September 4). Democratic People's Republic of Korea: Country brief. https://cb.apps.fao.org/country.jsp?code=PRK&lang=en

Hong, M., & Kang, J. (2026, August 28). A large-scale price survey reveals North Korea's economy (4): Food and foodstuffs… Enormous price surges continue. ASIAPRESS. https://www.asiapress.org/rimjin-gang/2026/08/society-economy/price-survey-4/

Jang, S. (2026, October 16). Rice prices climb again in North Korea as fresh corn drives grain prices down. Daily NK. https://www.dailynk.com/english/north-korea-rice-prices-rise-corn-yuan-fall/

Montian Noowong. (n.d.). Crops of corn and rice paddy fields. Vecteezy. Retrieved October 28, 2026, from https://www.vecteezy.com/photo/7520011-crops-of-corn-and-rice-paddy-fields

Park, K. B. (2017, December 17). Opinion | hunger in North Korea is devastating. And it’s our fault. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/17/opinion/weapons-north-korea-hunger.html

Yonhap. (2023, October 2). N. Korea Spurs efforts to raise crop production during fall harvest season - the Korea Herald. The Korea Herald. https://www.koreaherald.com/article/3225816