This report assesses the food supply and demand situation in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea for the 2017/18 marketing year (November/October). It presents the 2017/18 aggregate crop production, which includes the 2017 main season, completed by October 2017, and the 2017/18 minor early season crops (wheat, barley and potatoes) currently being harvested.

Highlights:

• Aggregate crop production in 2017/18 is forecast at 5.5 million tonnes, 5 percent below the 2016/17 level.
• Production prospects for the 2017/18 early season crops are favourable, partially compensating the reduced main season output gathered in October 2017 that was affected by dry weather conditions.
• The overall cereal deficit for the 2017/18 marketing year (November/October) is forecast at about 652 000 tonnes, well above the previous year’s already high level, reflecting an anticipated reduction in domestic output and imports.