As volumes of rice bought and sold in North Korea continue to increase, stores operated by foreign-currency earning entities and market vendors are entering into greater competition, according to the Daily NK.

A source in North Pyongang Province said, “It used to be the norm for rice to retail in the jangmadang [market]. Stores only traded it wholesale. But now stores are retailing it, too.”

The sale of rice in markets originates from two sources: China and domestic farms. While most stores sell rice originating in China, market vendors tend to purvey rice from a variety of sources. 

“First to attract customers, and then to turn them into regular visitors, both shops and markets are competing on price and service,” one source explained. “The stores sell their rice for 100 or 200 KPW less than the jangmadang, but customers there cannot negotiate, and the seller never throws anything in for free.”

However, this appears to be changing. Another source said, “Customers can negotiate prices and get home or business delivery if they purchase more than 100kg. It’s just like in the market now. Shops have started providing extra services, and delivery men, eager as they are to earn money, have started crowding outside storefronts waiting for customers where once they would have waited on the road.”

SOURCE: The Daily NK