Assessing the Food Situation in North Korea

Abstract

The paper is based on initial research by Kim (in Korea). It uses unpublished data, projections, and similarities with other nations to estimate the food situation and outlook for North Korea under baseline conditions. We find that even with normal growing conditions North Korea would likely have a food deficit of about 2 million tons of grain. Efforts to close this gap could include research and technological improvements, imports of agricultural products, relaxing restrictions on rural privatization, and relaxed trade barriers and the establishment of normal trade relations.

JEL Classification: Q1, O1