Fresh produce prices in North Korea almost double

Prices of some fruits and vegetables in North Korea have nearly doubled recently from a year earlier. Prices are reportedly rising as yields plummet due to the scorching heat and poor pest control. A source in South Pyongan province said on Wednesday that a kilogram of spinach that used to cost KPW 500* at the Okjon market in Pyongsong has recently risen to more than KPW 1,000. “The price of cabbage, which used to cost KPW 900, is also rising every day,” he said. He said peaches cost KPW 9,000 apiece, apricots cost KPW 12,000 a piece and plums cost KPW 11,000 a kilo, about double what they cost at the same time last year. "Thanks to the good rains in the spring, we have a decent crop of spinach, cabbage and eggplant, cucumbers, chillies, pumpkins and lettuce, so prices were okay," he said. "However, lately you can hardly find any ...