Insecurity and high fuel prices affect the fish business in Bor, the capital of South Sudan’s Jonglei State. The price for fish on the market has increased sharply.

“The consumers’ understanding is that it is us who are increasing the prices – it is not us,” said Guok Arou, a fish dealer in Bor. He explained that the high price is linked to boat owners, who say that “the fuel price is expensive”.

Fuel supply across South Sudan is limited and prices in Bor increased from December 2016 to January 2017 by 28 percent, according to the World Food Program (WFP) ‘South Sudan monthly market price monitoring bulletin’, published in January.

Despite being an oil producing country, the sector in South Sudan plunged by at least a third to as little as 120,000 barrels a day since violence erupted in December 2013.

“In December 2016, year-on-year overall and food inflation rates for South Sudan stood at 479 percent and 517 percent, respectively, indicating a significant increase in the cost of living,” the WFP bulletin states.

Inflation and prevailing localised insecurity limiting food production and trade flows, has led to widespread food insecurity and even famine in some parts of the country.

Achol Jok Bior, a 28-year-old business women, said in the past years the fish business was lucrative, but now she fears she has to close her business. She said it has been already over a week without receiving any fish.

Bior also said that prices have skyrocketed. “In the past months a fish was between SSP 30-40. But imagine now, a fish costs SSP 250,” she added.

“I came here to buy fish for my family, but found the price is expensive,” said Micheal Nyok, a customer at Bor’s fish market. He was told, he says, “those who import the fish complained of fuel and have raised their prices”.

Nyok said he doesn’t buy fish as often anymore, explaining that he can not afford it given the current economic situation.

The high prices for fish have also affected restaurants in Bor. “Most customers’ favourite order on the food menu was fish but with the new prices, they change to the dishes they can afford,” said Yousif Adam, a restaurant owner.

South Sudan has fish in abundance. The country’s water is home to a wide range of fish, including the popular Nile Perch, Tilapia, the Cat- and Mudfish.

However, fishing is not as widespread as it could be, as many communities focus on their cattle while fishing is often disparaged.

Photo: A fish stall at the market centre in Bor, March 7, 2017. (© Radio Tamazuj)