Prices of commodities have rapidly shot up at the market in South Sudan’s Torit State, a local official said Thursday.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, the state chamber of commerce chairperson, Lily Hidita complained of increasing food prices at the market in the state.
She advised the government to address the issue of soaring food prices by opening up warehouses and cooperatives for farmers.
“It is good when there is a warehouse of the government if they can also be able to bring some food commodities. I think it is the best way of helping farmers because we have cooperatives,” said Hidita.
She added, “Let them also reopen cooperatives so that they can help communities around the state. It is a good idea, challenging, but it is good for them to work hard to lobby and get some money”.
Hidita said prices in local markets are currently being determined by prices in the foreign markets, coupled with poor transport networks.
She, however, attributed the food scarcity in the state to the unreliable agricultural production, which was experienced last year.
Hidita urged traders not to hike food prices.
In the last few months, a bag of maize flour reportedly increased from 5,000 SSP to 7,000 SSP.