Homemade processed foodstuffs affixed with factory brands can be seen everywhere in North Korean markets lately. Discerning factory-made products from homemade ones solely by appearance is next to impossible, rendering authorities’ attempts to crack down on them powerless.
According to a Daily NK source in South Pyongan province recently, cottage-made processed foodstuffs are once again flooding market stalls in cities and counties throughout the province, including Kaechon, focusing mainly on snacks and confections like beer snacks, fried snacks, bean snacks, and sweetened milk candy.
Homemade processed foodstuffs sold in marketplaces have long been subject to intensive crackdowns as violations of North Korea’s food sanitation law. Accordingly, homemade processed foodstuffs had been gradually disappearing from North Korean market stalls.
Recently, however, homemade processed foodstuffs have stealthily evaded crackdowns by using sophisticated packaging that makes them visually indistinguishable from factory-made goods—and, in some cases, by even sporting authentic factory brands.
Underground trademark deals
“Individuals who produce homemade processed foodstuffs employ two methods,” the source said. “One is to formally use logos in cooperation with the factory, while another is to illegally forge logos without the factory’s knowledge.”
“Since even factories face limits to securing raw materials or operations, they share out their logos to draw cash from individuals,” the source said. “Factories use it as a way to supplement their cash, while individuals can evade detection, so their interests align.”
In this circumstance, underground trademark deals between factories and individuals are gradually increasing.
In the process, authorities’ attempts to crack down on homemade processed foodstuffs have been rendered effectively powerless.
“With factory logos attached to almost every product, it’s not easy to discern which have actually been made in factories and which are homemade,” the source said. “And customers don’t report them or raise issues because they have more products to choose from.”
In fact, consumers welcome the circulation of homemade processed foodstuffs in marketplaces. This is because not only are homemade processed foodstuffs tastier than mass-produced factory-made ones, but they also give people more choices at various prices.
“Many people believe that the products made at home taste better than the factory-made ones,” the source said. “Unlike in the past, the homemade goods are eye-catching because they’re packaged much better, so homemade processed foodstuffs are once again dominating markets.”
January 22, 2026 at 04:22PM
by DailyNK(North Korean Media)