KOREA, DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF* (2 June)
The main agricultural activities currently are transplanting of rice and planting and weeding of maize. Most provinces reported that wheat and barley are growing well, although the agricultural season is about two weeks behind compared to last year. Wheat and barley production in 2002 is provisionally estimated at 204 000 tonnes, 2.5 percent above the previous years’ harvest of 199 000 tonnes. Total cereal production available for consumption in the current marketing year ending in October 2003 is estimated at 3.4 million tonnes, up 9 percent from last year. Potato output in 2002 is estimated at about 500 000 tonnes.
Notwithstanding the reasonably good harvest in 2002, a significant number of families in DPR Korea are still unable to meet their food needs. About 6 million people require about 500 000 tonnes food assistance. The Public Distribution System (PDS) ration for May remained at 250 grams/person/day. This cereal ration covers only about 42 percent of the minimum daily energy requirement and is expected to continue until the next main crop harvested in September/October.