Prices are increasing rapidly in Northern Bahr al Ghazal state as the South Sudanese Pound drops against the dollar, according to the state Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber deputy chairperson Garang Athian said prices have increased in markets despite new shipments of food brought by businessmen.

"Unfortunatley they incerase day to day," Athian told Radio Tamazuj Wednesday.

As of Tuesday, a 50 kg sack of sorguhm sold at 700 SSP, while a sack of sugar cost 650 SSP. Flour was at 290 SSP per 25 kg, while a jerrycan of fuel was 350 SSP. Soda costs 160 SSP per packet.

Athian said the main factor for the price increases is the weak SSP, which is now trading at 11.50 to the dollar in Aweil, below the rate of the Sudanese Pound of 7 to the dollar.

This has encouraged northern traders to bring goods into South Sudan through the taxation center at Majok Yienh Thiou.