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2017.06.28
| Won | Pyongyang | Sinuiju | Hyesan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exchange Rate | 8,070 | 8,050 | 8,095 |
| Rice Price | 5,800 | 6,000 | 5,900 |
Food purchases form the largest share of household expenditure in North Korea, the World Food Program (WFP) has revealed.
105 households throughout the North were interviewed for a report entitled “Performance Assessment of Nutrition Support to Women and Children,” finding that 43% of household expenditure is used on food, 23% on energy, 12% on clothing and household items, 11% on housing costs, 5% on savings, 4% on transport and 1% on education and “other.”
The bulk of the North Korean population are laborers, public servants, professionals or employees on state farms, and rely on the public distribution system for their nutritional requirements. This group purchases mainly vegetables, condiments and cereals, while the most sought after food item for workers on cooperative farms is oil, it was explained.
The report emphasized the importance of kitchen gardens and livestock as an alternative food source for 66% of households interviewed. Such gardens predominantly produce vegetables, potatoes and maize.
Similarly, 70% raised dogs, rabbits and poultry, and “Households with livestock had, on average, at least 1 day per week higher consumption frequency of animal protein, mostly eggs, compared to households without livestock,” the report explained.
Wild foods were deemed an important source of food by 89% of households, with authorities noting that citizens are “advised to maximize the use” of such foods.
In times of scarcity, respondents clarified that they adopt coping strategies such as eating cheap food, asking for assistance from relatives, reducing their overall intake and adding water to their food.
On a positive note, “The majority (93 percent) of the visited counties reported that food security was better currently than in July 2012.” Reasons provided were increased organic fertilizer and cereal production, and disaster prevention strategies including the construction of dams.
“The proportion of households reporting reduced meal serving sizes has reduced from two-thirds to one-third,” it was added.
105 households throughout the North were interviewed for a report entitled “Performance Assessment of Nutrition Support to Women and Children,” finding that 43% of household expenditure is used on food, 23% on energy, 12% on clothing and household items, 11% on housing costs, 5% on savings, 4% on transport and 1% on education and “other.”
The bulk of the North Korean population are laborers, public servants, professionals or employees on state farms, and rely on the public distribution system for their nutritional requirements. This group purchases mainly vegetables, condiments and cereals, while the most sought after food item for workers on cooperative farms is oil, it was explained.
The report emphasized the importance of kitchen gardens and livestock as an alternative food source for 66% of households interviewed. Such gardens predominantly produce vegetables, potatoes and maize.
Similarly, 70% raised dogs, rabbits and poultry, and “Households with livestock had, on average, at least 1 day per week higher consumption frequency of animal protein, mostly eggs, compared to households without livestock,” the report explained.
Wild foods were deemed an important source of food by 89% of households, with authorities noting that citizens are “advised to maximize the use” of such foods.
In times of scarcity, respondents clarified that they adopt coping strategies such as eating cheap food, asking for assistance from relatives, reducing their overall intake and adding water to their food.
On a positive note, “The majority (93 percent) of the visited counties reported that food security was better currently than in July 2012.” Reasons provided were increased organic fertilizer and cereal production, and disaster prevention strategies including the construction of dams.
“The proportion of households reporting reduced meal serving sizes has reduced from two-thirds to one-third,” it was added.
