North Koreans sour on fancy factory sweets as taste fails to match packaging

North Korea has seen a marked increase in the distribution of factory-made candy and cookies across the country, but citizens in North Pyongan province complained Wednesday that slick new packaging is masking substandard products sold at prices many cannot justify.

The rise in packaged confections follows the regime’s push to build food factories in the provinces under its “regional development 20×10” policy. Confections have become common purchases as souvenirs on field trips to Pyongyang and out-of-town business trips.

Food factories have paid particular attention to packaging design, and at first glance the products resemble premium imports. But consumers who pay top prices based on appearances say they are frequently let down.

A source in North Pyongan province said a family member had bought what appeared to be deluxe confections on a business trip to Pyongyang. Beneath the glossy wrapper, however, the treats arrived crushed and tasted poor.

“It’s all sizzle and no steak, and for a steep price,” the source said.

Central Committee brands command steep premiums

Products from food factories run directly by the Central Committee — including Mangyongdae Kyonghung, Unha Daesong, Pyongyang Children’s, and Songdowon Comprehensive — are significantly more expensive than comparable goods from provincial plants.

A kilogram (2.2 lbs) of confections from a provincial factory costs 30,000 to 40,000 North Korean won (roughly $1.45 to $1.93), while the same quantity from a Central Committee-run factory runs over 70,000 won (around $3.38), nearly double the price. That gap has citizens grumbling they are paying a premium for the packaging alone.

“With the money spent on confections from a Central Committee factory, you can buy two times as much from a provincial factory or three times as much from a private home-based operation. That’s got people saying the packaging may look nice, but there’s little difference in taste or quality,” the source said.

Adding to frustrations, the regime has cracked down on home-based food production, a move that has drawn complaints from citizens who say the state is pushing factory goods that cost more but taste worse than homemade alternatives.

“Surely the product is more important than its packaging. And when it comes to food products, flavor comes first. So there’s growing discontent about products that have nicer packaging but are otherwise not an improvement,” the source said.

“The change people want to see is not gorgeous packaging, but a greater supply of foodstuffs at the markets. Sharper competition would lower prices and improve quality. Nobody wants to see prices rise to cover the cost of packaging.”

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