The Daily NK has just updated their very valuable tables of rice prices and exchange rates. Things appear to have improved for the won and for those who have to make purchases with it.
Here is the most recent data on the Won/US$ exchange rate:
In March 2013 it took approximately W8,700 to buy one US$. Today that number has fallen to as low as W7,300. Most of the won’s gain in value has taken place in the last month. As of February 2014, the US$ was worth W8,400–meaning the Won/US$ exchange rate has fallen (the currency has appreciated) by appx 13% since then.
Since the Chinese Yuan trades in a narrow band around the US$, the data would look much the same in terms of the Chinese currency.
Of course what remains to be seen is how stable the rate will be going forward.
The Daily NK also offers time series data on the price of rice:
According to the chart above, the price of a kilo rice has fallen from approximately W6,900 in March of 2013 to W4,000 in March 2014. A fall of 42% in the last year!
