Republic of Korea

(South Korea)

Most of Korea’s grain production fields are dedicated to rice. Korea produces only about 10 to 12,000 metric tons per year of wheat. Korea’s wheat needs are largely met through imports of about 3.5 million metric tons per year. The United States provides over half of Korea’s milling wheat. Australian and Canadian exports have also been very successful in the Korean market, particularly Australian Standard White for noodles and Canadian Western Red Spring for bread and rolls. (Choi and Phillips 3-4).

Democratic People's Republic of Korea

(North Korea)

North Korea produces very small amounts of wheat. USDA estimates that, in 2004, the total production of wheat, barley, and beans combined was about 0.26 MMT. North Korea’s grain production over the last decade has fallen far short of the population’s needs. USDA calculates that adequate nutrition for North Korea’s population would require a minimum of 6.6 million metric tons of grain, or over 2 million metric tons more than the country’s rate of production (Choi and Phillips, North Korea 1). Part of this shortfall has been provided each year by aid through international organizations and through South Korea. In some years, that aid has included wheat from the United States.

Next: Wheat in Japan: Introduction