Newly harvested crops of wheat and barley are now for sale in markets in South Hamgyong Province, but the influx of grain has done little to ease people’s food troubles.
“Recently in Hamhung, the latest crops of wheat and barley are available at the market, but since wheat and barley are more expensive than corn, it hasn’t done much to make people’s lives any easier,” a source in South Hamgyong Province told Daily NK on July 12, speaking on condition of anonymity.
According to the source, prices for wheat and barley have fallen as the latest harvest has entered the markets.
For example, at Hamhung’s Kumsa Market on July 9, one kilogram of wheat sold for KPW 3,800 and one kilogram of barley sold for KPW 4,000. By contrast, before the new harvest came on the market, the same quantities of wheat and barley were selling for KPW 4,500 and KPW 5,000 respectively. The July 9 prices represent a price drop of between KPW 700 – 1,000 per kilogram.
Prices for wheat flour have also mirrored the drop in wheat prices, falling from KPW 8,000 to KPW 7,000.
However, even if wheat and barley prices come down, the drop in prices does not offer solutions to food issues faced by ordinary people.
“Even if wheat and barley prices fall, no one is buying because wheat and barley are still much more expensive than corn, which sells for KPW 2,000 per kilogram. The situation is so bad that people aren’t even able to buy mixed corn-rice anymore.”
Mixed barley and rice is particularly unpopular these days because the mixture digests too quickly and leaves people feeling hungry again too quickly. On the other hand, wheat continues to have buyers among merchants who sell bread and dumplings and need wheat flour to make their own products. Demand for wheat still remains generally low since it is too expensive to actually help resolve the fundamental issues of food security for most ordinary people.
Some good news amid the gloom
However, the source pointed out there has been some good news. As wheat and barley flow into the markets, corn and other grains have become cheaper, and people can now afford to buy a bit more to eat with the same amount of money.
The notable exception to this downward trend has been potato prices where the extra supply from the new harvest has not done much to lower prices.
On July 9, potatoes sold for between KPW 1,000 and KPW 1,200 per kilogram at Hamhung’s markets. This is not a substantial change from before, when potatoes sold for between KPW 1,000 and KPW 1,500 per kilogram.
“Even with newly harvested grains and potatoes entering the markets, the latest crop hasn’t done much to resolve people’s food difficulties. While farmers might benefit from the last harvest, the new crops won’t be solving food scarcity issues for urban dwellers who have to buy everything with money,” the source said.
Translated by Rose Adams. Edited by Robert Lauler.
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