An Inter-agency field visit to the main producing North Hwanghae province confirmed considerable damage to rainfed double crops although irrigated crops were found to be in good condition. Lowland rain-fed potato plants were underdeveloped and about one-third of the fields showed signs of severe water stress. While transplanting of rice in irrigated paddy fields was normal, a lack of rainfall has seriously delayed transplanting of maize. It was also reported that water tables were lower, wells were drying and domestic water supplies were affected. An FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission is scheduled to visit the country between June 23 and July 3, 2001 to review the food supply situation and assess the early crop prospects.

The November 2000 FAO/WFP Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission estimated the cereal import requirement at 1.87 million tonnes, of which commercial imports were anticipated to cover 200 000 tonnes, whilst a further 810 000 tonnes of the import requirement has been pledged as food assistance through WFP and 500 000 tonnes more through bilateral concessional imports.