North Korea’s markets — known as jangmadang (장마당) — emerged from the famine of the 1990s and have since become the backbone of the country’s informal economy. Daily NK tracks grain and rice prices, foreign currency exchange rates, government crackdowns on market activity, the rise of the donju merchant class, and the broader marketization of North Korean society. Our network of in-country sources provides some of the most detailed and timely reporting on North Korea’s markets available in English.
Tag: markets
North Korean dried seafood and produce flow into China as luggage...
The year 2026 has brought a noticeable shift in how Chinese customs officials treat travelers crossing the border from North Korea, with sources reporting...
North Korea and China launch Myohyang beer brand in Chinese market
A North Korea-China joint venture introduced a new beer brand called Myohyang beer to the Chinese market in 2026, positioning it as a tangible...
Stricter border controls leave Hyesan foragers with nowhere to sell their...
Tightened border controls along North Korea's frontier with China have effectively shut down the mushroom smuggling trade in Ryanggang province in 2026, cutting off...
Soaring fuel costs are pushing North Koreans toward electric bikes and...
Imports of Chinese-made electric bicycles and motorcycles are rising at border crossings in North Korea in 2026, driven by surging fuel prices that have...
North Korea grain prices dip from record highs but remain near...
Grain prices in North Korean markets fell slightly in the third week of June 2026 after hitting all-time highs earlier in the month, as...
North Korea’s showcase coastal resort is turning into a symbol of...
Interest in North Korea's Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone is rising sharply ahead of the summer season in 2026, with word-of-mouth praise from visitors...
Sinuiju unlicensed lodging crackdown drives travelers to state guesthouses
North Korean authorities intensified a crackdown on unlicensed home lodging operations near the border in 2026, threatening expulsion for repeat offenders and pushing travelers...
Kim family fashion drives custom tailoring boom among North Korea’s wealthy...
Wealthy North Koreans are commissioning custom-tailored suits modeled on the outfits worn by Ri Sol Ju and Kim Ju Ae at official state appearances...
North Korea’s local factory policy failing to reach rural store shelves,...
Students from the North Korean city of Sinuiju who were sent to support agricultural work in rural areas have returned home shocked by the...
North Korea police caught singing banned songs and using slang, authorities...
North Korean authorities have launched a discipline crackdown on police officers caught singing songs of unknown or unauthorized origin and using crude slang, after...
