A Yangkang Province-based source told the Daily NK on Monday, “The handouts began this month for autumn potatoes.” She said, however, “Last year, a six-month supply of rations was distributed for each family member, but this year, the head of each household has received two months’ worth, while other members only received one month’s worth.”

“For homemakers, one month’s supply makes up for roughly 40 kg, while for householders, a two-month supply is roughly 150 kg,” the source elaborated. With the lurch in quota, residents are already troubled about next year, she explained, as to North Koreans, potatoes are considered the second most important staple after rice.

After fall potato harvest, residents go out to dig for individual potatoes that may have gone undetected: usually, support troops, who are largely unfamiliar with farming, are mobilized for for harvesting efforts and miss potato bulbs buried deep underground.

However, people have not even been able to reap the yield they used to from this process, the source said, a signal that this year’s harvest has dwindled significantly compared to last year.

“Last year, going out for a follow-up sweep in the fields produced roughly 100 kg in a day, but this year, even after a full day of work, it’s hard to gather 30 kg,” the source explained. “Since the harvest is not very good, there aren’t many hidden in the ground either, so few have managed to salvage missed potatoes.”

“The state potatoes are not sorted well, so there’s a mixture of big and small potatoes-- and even some rotten ones. This is why vendors sell them for a cheap price, because they require a lot of work,” she asserted. “Some people have been going out of their way to buy state potatoes, which are almost half the price of those sorted and sold by size.”

Potatoes that have gone through this process of categorizing by size and quality, sell for 1,200 KPW per kilogram at the market, according to the local source. State potatoes go for about half that at 550 KPW, so they sell out almost as soon as they hit the market. This year, the price of potatoes in fall has increased by 300 KPW, up from its previous cost of 900 KPW per kilogram. The source speculated that the substandard supply will only add to the probability of rising prices.

According to the source, some residents have said, “It’s a relief they at least gave us something,” while others have commented on the 40 kg handout to homemakers, saying, “even going and working somewhere would yield that amount [40 kg].” She concluded, “Getting something is always better  than nothing, so most do care about getting what rations they can.”