Pyongyang residents recently rushed to city markets to buy a rare meat windfall, highlighting North Korea meat distribution practices. Vendors displayed large quantities of pork, duck, chicken, and even dog meat at unusually low prices, attracting massive crowds.
A source in Pyongyang said markets in Hongjesan, Songyo, and Sadong districts “flooded with meat early in the morning for several consecutive days.” Residents described the rush as a “human avalanche” because buyers scrambled to purchase the limited supplies.
Young Pioneer Tours, which organizes business delegations to the event, confirmed that authorities canceled Western participation. Citizens immediately took advantage of the opportunity, despite the meat showing discoloration and a strong odor. Cooking tips to reduce the smell quickly spread, including boiling multiple times, seasoning with vinegar and garlic, and simmering with soy sauce or red pepper paste.
Officials from the Central Committee’s Finance Accounting Department distributed the meat to local wholesalers. Normally, the department provides food items exclusively to Central Committee officials and their families. However, poor storage caused spoilage, prompting officials to release it at low prices. Residents quickly learned about the unusual sale, despite the department requesting discretion.
Merchants reported that this batch represented the largest amount of meat ever available in Pyongyang markets. People purchased it immediately because meat rarely appears in such quantity. Some buyers even prepared portions for resale, which sold out within hours.
North Korea meat scarcity normally limits residents to small holiday portions. Many buyers expressed joy at the opportunity to have substantial meat, even if the supply was partially spoiled. Analysts say this event highlights the stark difference between resources available to officials and ordinary citizens.
Observers also noted that the windfall shows how surplus or spoiled goods sometimes enter local markets. Residents continue sharing strategies to maximize these rare opportunities, emphasizing practical cooking tips and resale tactics.
