Introduction

Overall food availability in North Korea remained broadly stable in 2025, at levels comparable to those in 2024. This reflects steady grain supply from the 2024 harvest, along with the absence of significant changes in spring and summer crop production and external imports through the third quarter of 2025.

Although output of major autumn crops in 2024 declined slightly compared with 2023 (-0.8 percent), the harvests of wheat, barley, and potatoes planted in the winter of 2024 and spring of 2025 were generally favorable. These crops were harvested without major disruptions between June and August 2025.

At the same time, North Korea’s grain imports from China totaled approximately 38,000 tons through the third quarter of 2025―about half of the total recorded in the previous year (Table 5-1). Given the relatively small share of imports in overall grain supply, this decline is unlikely to have had a significant impact on aggregate food availability. Grain imports from Russia also do not appear to have increased substantially. Although Russia’s growing grain surplus under sanctions and North Korea’s involvement in the RussiaUkraine war may have improved Pyongyang’s capacity to import from Russia, the absence of a notable increase suggests that food supply conditions in 2025 did not deteriorate significantly.

Supply conditions for wheat, barley, and potatoes, which are harvested in the spring and summer, also appear to have been stable. Sowing proceeded largely as planned in late autumn 2024 and spring 2025, and favorable weather conditions during both the wintering and growing periods supported crop development. As a result, the harvest of wheat and barley in the first half of 2025 was completed smoothly by June.3 Combined with ongoing policy efforts to expand the cultivation of these crops, the overall environment was conducive to continued increases in the production and supply of cereals and potatoes in 2025.

In contrast, market conditions shifted markedly over the course of the year. Grain prices, particularly for rice, rose sharply in 2025.4 In Pyongyang, the market price of rice stood at around 8,100 won per kilogram in mid-January, but began to climb rapidly from June, reaching as high as 30,000 won by mid-October. Although prices declined again in mid-November following the main harvest, the overall upward trend suggests a tightening of market supply conditions.

That said, the surge in market prices should not be interpreted solely as evidence of an absolute supply shortage. It is important to consider the role of state policy, particularly the expansion of grain procurement and the strengthening of state control over distribution. As the authorities moved to restrict private market circulation and promote state-run grain sales outlets, the volume of grain entering markets likely declined sharply, contributing to upward pressure on market prices.

* This article is part of 2025/2026 The DPRK Economic Outlook

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