GIEWS Country Brief: Democratic People's Republic of Korea 08-August-2011
Attachments
FOOD SECURITY SNAPSHOT
Heavy rains affect standing crops of the 2011 main season.
Winter wheat, spring barley and spring potato harvests in 2011 estimated to be lower by about 232 000 tonnes than earlier forecast due to the severe winter this year.
Rise in international prices of cereals, especially maize, has reduced the country’s ability to import needed quantities.
More than six million vulnerable people are estimated to face food deficit as chronic food insecurity continues throughout the country.
DPRK affected by serious floods following torrential rains in July
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was hit by excessive rains during the second and third dekad of July causing severe flooding and localised crop damage to standing crops of the 2011 main season in the cereal bowl of the country. The counties reporting serious damage were Chongdan, Jaeryong, Anak and Unchon in South Hwanghae Province and Hoichang and Pyongwon from South Pyongan Province. Although the initial area damage is officially put at 59 340 ha, no precise crop loss estimates are yet available. Paddy crop, currently at the initial growing stage, is likely to be affected the most in the low lying areas. Damage to agricultural infrastructure was also reported. However, the abundant rains are likely to benefit crops in surrounding areas. The net effect on the national production would need to be assessed later in the season.
In February/March a WFP/FAO/UNICEF Mission visited the country to re-assess the food security situation in view of the potential losses to winter wheat and spring potatoes due to severe cold weather. The mission revised the winter/spring wheat/barley and potato production (in cereal equivalent) for the 2010/11 marketing year (Nov/Oct) downwards to 180 000 tonnes and 414 000 tonnes, respectively. The revised total supply for the current marketing year is estimated at 4.25 million tonnes of staple food including milled rice, other cereals, potatoes in cereal equivalent and soybeans. This is similar to the low production of 2009/10 but some 232 000 tonnes less than the earlier estimates by the joint FAO/WFP Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission (CFSAM) in November 2010.