Citizens in the disputed region of Abyei said they are astounded at the high price of bread and shrinking portion size.
Speaking to Abyei Today programme on Tuesday, several local residents complained that the price of bread increased dramatically and owners of bakeries have reduced the size.
But several owners of bakeries said that the increase in bread price was necessary to cover costs of production.
Majak Ruob, a bakery owner, said they wanted to compensate for the costs incurred by increasing the price of bread.
Goc Goc, another bakery owner in town, said that the rise in the price for a loaf of bread was caused by high prices of flour and closure of Amiet common market.
"We called on the authorities to increase the price of the bread, but they refused," he said.
Nyankiir Akuei, a restaurant owner in Abyei market, said she opted to bake her own bread locally to cope with the rising prices of food.
On his part, Dut Pieng Amuor, the Executive Director of Abyei Municipality, warned that bakery owners who do not comply with local laws on bread size would be subjected to legal accountability.
"Whoever violates this will face a fine of up to 5,000 South Sudanese pounds and two months' imprisonment, or else, the license shall be confiscated and the bakery might be closed down,” he stressed.