This is “NK Market Trends,” bringing you
news about the North Korean economy every week. As usual, we are accompanied by
Reporter Kang Mi Jin. But, before starting on today’s topic, let’s first take a
look at how the North Korean markets fared over the past week.
A kg of rice cost 6000 KPW in Pyongyang and
Sinuiju, and 6200 KPW in Hyesan. The exchange rate to one USD was 8260 KPW in
Pyongyang, 8200 KPW at Sinuiju, and 8320 KPW in Hyesan. A kg of corn kernels cost
2300 KPW in Pyongyang and Hyesan, and 2250 KPW at Sinuiju. A kg of pork cost 14500
KPW in Pyongyang, and 15000 KPW in Sinuiju
and Hyesan. A kg of gasoline cost 9000 KPW in Pyongyang and Sinuiju, and 7000
KPW in Hyesan. A kg of diesel cost 5500 KPW Pyongyang, 5100 KPW in Sinuiju, and 5000 KPW in
Hyesan. This has been a rundown of the weekly market prices.
1. The coming of autumn brings smiles to
the faces of many merchants, as this is the time of the year when consumer
demand is the highest. Some commodities, however, are much more in demand than
others. Are you curious as to which commodities are the most in demand? Let’s
listen to Reporter Kang about the joys and the hopes, as well as the grief and
anxieties of North Korean merchants.
I think that some of our NK listeners will
be particularly interested in today’s topic: the “hottest” commodities of the
autumn marketplace. Our sources tell us that candy, confectionery, pork, flour,
oil, hanbok (traditional Korean attire), and kitchenware are the commodities
that experience the highest demand.
1-1. Last week’s topic, which was the
demand for cigarettes, ties in nicely to this week’s topic, which is the “hottest”
commodities on the market in autumn. Why are those particular goods especially
in demand in autumn?
In most areas of North Korea, the beginning of
autumn marks the beginning of cultivation for private plots. Our sources say
that farmhands who work for pay are a common sight in Yanggang Province. Obviously,
if you hire day workers, then you need to prepare food for them. Since autumn is
the most plenteous time of the year, the employers are able to easily prepare a
greater spread for their workers than in spring and summer when food is not as bountiful.
In addition, since weddings and
celebrations of 60th birthdays take place in autumn because food is ample and
relatively cheaper, more candy and flour are bought than usual. Farmhands, as
well as households and students, tend to buy more candy and others sweets than
usual in autumn. I also did the same when I lived in the North. I used to buy candy
from this one lady only, and I can still remember her face which became
brighter in autumn because she was able to make more money.
2. It’s a relief to hear that residents can
more easily enjoy candy and other treats in autumn. What is the price of flour
and candy at the marketplace in Hyesan?
Currently, a kg of flour costs 5100 KPW, a
kg of candy costs 5500 KPW, and a kg of confectionery costs 6100 KPW. Pork,
which is not an everyday food, is also selling well at the price of 15000 KPW per
kg. Candy powder, which is used to make candy, is also popular. Even though prices
for these goods are slightly higher than usual, the demand for these has not
decreased.
2-1. When you say candy powder, do you mean
sugar?
Yes. In North Korea, sugar is called candy powder.
Many defectors who have settled in the South say that common words of the North are unfamiliar
to South Koreans. When I first came to South Korea, I also experienced the same difficulty.
3. I’m sure that our listeners are also pleased
by the news that business at the marketplaces are thriving. But I hear that
there are nonetheless some residents who wish for autumn to quickly pass away.
Yes. While some merchants experience greater
demand in autumn, others experience lower prices and demand. The harvest means
that the supply of vegetables is the greatest at this time of the year, which
means that vegetable merchants are having a difficult time selling their goods.
Moreover, North Koreans do not have an adequate system of refrigeration, which
means that merchants are forced to sell their vegetables at a discount rate
before it spoils and becomes completely worthless. For this reason, I can
understand why some merchants don’t like autumn.
The coming of cooler weather in winter will
keep the vegetables fresher for even longer than in autumn. Although I’m glad
to hear that business is thriving for some merchants, I’m also saddened to
think that autumn does not bring glad tidings for everyone.
4. Can you discuss the production and
circulation of the hottest commodities that were previously mentioned?
Let’s begin with candy. Most of the sugar in
North Korea is imported from China and Russia through trade. A smaller amount is brought
back by people who have visited China, and the rest is smuggled through the
border. The sugar is then made into candy and other goods by candy makers and
bakers of quality bread, which is then bought by farmhands. The production and
circulation of confectionery is similar to that of candy. In autumn, buying
candy and other treats is not financially costly for farmhands as well as ordinary
residents. When I lived in NK, I would buy candy and eat it on my way to and
back from the fields.
During Chuseok, or the Harvest Moon
Festival, many children who visit their parents on this holiday bring candy and
pork with them. I also bought several kilograms of candy to bring to my
parents, and this was not very costly. I also occasionally made candy myself at
home. It costs less to make candy at home than to buy it at the market, but
that is before you take into account the costs for labour and fuel.
4-1. I would like to hear about the candy
making process. Also, is most of the candy that is sold on the markets made at home?
Yes. Many residents make candy themselves at
home and sell it or use it as required. But it is now common to see cases where
the candy maker and vendor are different people. This is due to division of
labour, which is now a common arrangement in North Korea’s markets.
The following is the process for making
candy. In my region, you have to warm the cauldron over a low heat produced by
a wood fire. Maintaining the fire’s low temperature is key to making candy.
When the cauldron is sufficiently heated, you put in the candy powder and a few
spoonful of water and stir it for 20 minutes, at which the sugar will melt and
begin to boil. When air bubbles begin to form, you put in some vinegar and stir
it some more. When the concoction seems to be thick enough, then you put it into
a basin. But before putting it into the basin, you daub a bit of oil on the
basin’s inside so that the sugar does not stick to it. After it cools a bit,
you put it on a tray, cut it into smaller sizes and repeatedly pull it apart
with both hands. This process enlarges the size of the candy, during which it
feels as if air is mixing with the candy.
Then you cut it with scissors, put it on a tray
with some sugar, and spin it until it becomes round. Candy that has been spun
tastes much better than that which hasn’t been spun. You can also put in
coloring to make it look more appetizing. In Yanggang Province, blueberry
extract is used as coloring, which makes it look more appetizing and adds to
the candy’s flavor. Although some candy is imported from China, the rest of it
is homemade by this process.
5. I think I can make some myself after
listening to your thorough explanation! You also mentioned that pork is also
popular at this time of the year. Where is the pork produced?
A lot of the pork on the markets is
produced from pigs that are bred at home, although some provinces do have pig
farms. In those provinces, the farms are a big source of the pork on those
markets. Pigs weigh between 70 and 100 kilograms at 7-8 months old. The
breeding of pigs follows a seasonal timeline, so that litters are produced in
spring and the stock will be ready for slaughter by autumn, which is the time
of year when there will be a lot of pork on the market.
The reason that the price of pork is not
going down even with the greater supply is probably due to the greater demand
for it, as well as the cooler weather which preserves the pork for longer. Especially
during Chuseok many families bought pork to be stored in dugouts and eaten
during the holiday. I hope all our listeners had a happy Chuseok and wish
them a abundant harvest.
