The cost of some food items in North Korea are reportedly skyrocketing as the country's agriculture industry struggles to recover from storm damage last year.
According to CNN, a packet of coffee now costs more than US$100 (NZ$144), while a small packet of black tea can go for about US$70 (NZ$100).
The situation has been exasperated by COVID-19 restrictions and supply chain issues around the world, making it difficult to replace domestic food supply with imports.
Experts spoken to by CNN said while the price of rice and fuel has remained relatively stable, imported goods such as sugar, soybean oil, and flour have become much more expensive.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly acknowledged the food situation in the country is troubling, admitting things are "tense", according to CNBC.
CNBC quoted local media in Pyongyang, which said Kim made the admission after the country "failed to fulfill its grain production plan" due to typhoon damage last year.
According to other reports, shampoo is now selling for US$200 (NZ$290) a bottle and a kilogram of bananas fetches US$45 (NZ$65).
In a plenary meeting of the central committee of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea held last week, Kim made reference to the tough conditions but said the situation was improving.
"The conditions and environment for the revolutionary struggle have become worse upon entering this year but the country’s economy has shown improvement as a whole," CNBC reported him as saying.
In a bid to make things better, the leader said he had "directed all efforts to farming this year".
