As North Koreans continue to face a dire economic situation caused by sanctions and the COVID-19 pandemic, soybean milk—a cheap yet nutritious drink—is becoming increasingly popular among people in the country, a source recently told Daily NK.
“Summer came earlier than usual this year so there are many people going to markets looking for something cool to drink,” a South Pyongan Province-based source told Daily NK on June 19.
“With trade largely halted and businesses not doing very well, people are looking for cheap but nutritious foods other than rice,” the source continued.
“Many products made of soybean are gaining popularity due to their high nutritional value,” the source further explained, adding, “Soybean milk is popular among both adults and children and since the price is cheap it has been selling very well.”
This year, most people are facing severe economic difficulties so products that are cheap yet nutritious help make the little money they have go a long way, the source added.
There are two yogurt drinks available in North Korea: one made out of cow and goat milk, and another made out of fermented soybeans. The cow and goat milk variety has generally been imported from China and there is little available at the markets any more since the closure of the Sino-North Korean border.
Many North Koreans have turned to domestically-produced soybean milk as a result.
“In North Korea, 500 milliliters of regular milk made in [North Korea’s] Kangwon Province is priced at KWP 3,500 while soybean milk costs around KWP 4,000 for five liters,” the source explained.
The price of regular milk is about 10 times that of soybean milk, according to the source’s report.
The economic slump also seems to have contributed to the popularity of this new drink. More and more people are looking to buy cheaper products due to their overall lower purchasing power, the source said.
South Korean Gompyo soybean milk smuggled into the country is reportedly around two to three times more expensive than domestically-produced soybean milk.
*Translated by Gabriela Bernal
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