UN: North Korea lacks rice

The DPRK in 2007 may face a serious lack of food, the UN food and agricultural organization (FAO) published on Thursday said, RIA Novosti reports.

According to FAO experts, a shortage can be about 510 thousand tons of rice, even if you keep in mind the 400 thousand tons of rice promised by Pyongyan by South Korea, the deliveries of which should begin in May.

In the year, Pyongyang needs to import about 960 thousand tons of grain, they are considered in the FAO. If the rice supplies promised by Pyongyang are fully carried out, then each of the 27 million DPRK residents will have 160 kilograms of rice per year, the report said.

This situation is formed, despite the fact that this year North Korea made 14% more grains on its own compared to the average over the past five years and collected about four million tons of grain.

From November 2006 to April 2007, the DPRK imported about 40 thousand tons of grain and received 900 tons of food assistance. The republic is one of the 33 three countries, which are included in the list of states in need of foreign assistance.