Concerns about famine-like conditions in North Korea have faded since reports of widespread food insecurity and starvation last year, but a recent surge in food prices raises concerns about the persistent economic pressures that DPRK households face.

North Korean food prices began to rise from late 2019 and remain highly inflated compared to before the pandemic, and NK Pro analysis suggests that households face higher prices in both domestic currency and in forex, even as their incomes are likely significantly down from pre-pandemic levels.

Notably the price of rice has declined more than that of corn