Which crops are most important in North Korean agriculture?

In North Korea, agriculture is centered on several key food and industrial crops. The primary food crops are grains, most notably rice, corn (maize), wheat, and barley.1

In addition to these grains, the country extensively cultivates a variety of other produce, including:

• Vegetables and tubers: Potatoes, sweet potatoes, and various vegetables.1
• Legumes: Soybeans and other bean varieties.1
• Fruits: A range of tree fruits.1
• Industrial crops: Tobacco, cotton, flax, and rape, which is grown for its oilseeds.1

While the western river valleys and coastal plains provide relatively rich alluvial soils suitable for these crops, the majority of the country's soil is generally sandy and low in fertility. Agricultural production has faced significant challenges, including chronic shortages of fertilizer and equipment, as well as environmental issues like deforestation that have contributed to flooding and poor harvests.21