North Korea's Market Prices Continue Decline as Corn Harvest Hits

North Korea's market prices continued to decline in late September 2026, with corn prices falling for a fourth consecutive week. According to Daily NK's survey of market prices, corn sold for 16,000 North Korean won per kilogram at a market in Hyesan, Ryanggang province, on Sept. 27, down 4.2% from the previous survey.

The decline in corn prices is attributed to the fresh corn harvest and easing exchange rates. Many North Koreans eat hulled corn as a staple grain in place of more expensive rice. The growing supply of fresh corn has put downward pressure on grain prices.

Rice prices, however, fell less sharply than corn prices over the past two weeks. Rice sold for 40,700 won per kilogram at a market in Sinuiju on Sept. 27, down 1.2% from two weeks earlier.