Nostalgic black market has taken root in northeastern China’s border provinces. North Korean candy and snacks are quietly selling to defectors who long for home. These products appear in both online stores and physical shops. Locations include Changchun, Changbai in Jilin province, and Dandong in Liaoning province. These areas border North Korea and host large communities of defectors. Consequently, a nostalgic black market thrives despite prices exceeding comparable Chinese goods.
Several North Korean products have entered circulation through this informal trade. Fruit-flavored candies and cookies come from the Sonhung Food Factory. Soybean candies and caramels originate from a factory in Nanam district of Chongjin. This factory sits in North Hamgyong province near the Chinese border. Cod liver oil candy arrives from the Sinpo Fish Canning Factory. Each product carries deep emotional weight for North Korean defectors.
Soybean candy holds particular significance for those who fled the North. The state historically distributed this candy to children on major national holidays. These holidays included birthdays of former leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il. Cod liver oil candy also carries strong nostalgic associations. North Korean authorities long promoted it as a health remedy. Specifically, they claimed it improved eye health and immune function. Therefore, this nostalgic black market taps into powerful childhood memories.
A 500 to 600 gram bag sells for about 40 Chinese yuan. That equals roughly 5.50 US dollars for each bag. Chinese-made comparable products cost significantly less than this price. Nevertheless, demand among defectors remains remarkably steady. Many willingly pay the premium for a taste of home. This nostalgic black market thus defies normal economic logic based on price alone.
One defector living in Jilin province recently spent 120 yuan on treats. That amount equals approximately 16.50 US dollars for cod liver oil candy and cookies. The defector noticed that packaging has become much more refined than before. Initially, they worried the taste might have changed with the new packaging. However, the familiar flavor from home remained intact. The defector admitted the purchase was not really about taste. Instead, it represented a need to reconnect with lost family memories.
I find myself buying them because I miss my parents and siblings, the source said. I sometimes cry alone while eating them. Another defector in Liaoning province expressed similar feelings. I wonder whether I will ever see my family again. You can easily find North Korean food products at stores and online now, the source said. Even with high prices, I buy candy and snacks to think of my family back home. This nostalgic black market clearly serves an emotional rather than economic purpose.
Upgraded packaging on North Korean confectionery has also drawn curiosity. Chinese consumers sometimes buy these products out of simple curiosity. They see the attractive packaging and want to try something new. This local interest helps sustain sales volume beyond the defector community. The source noted that other North Korean products are also circulating now. Cosmetics from North Korea-China joint ventures appear in local markets. North Korean liquor intended for export is also in active distribution.
This nostalgic black market will likely accelerate further. Recent normalization signals between Pyongyang and Beijing point to expanded trade. Passenger rail service between the two countries has already resumed. Consequently, bilateral trade is poised to grow substantially. The source predicted that more North Korean products will enter China. Specifically, goods with competitive pricing or improved quality and design will appear. The nostalgic black market may soon transform into a formal commercial channel.
