Food Prices Drop in Yei as Security and Local Harvests Improve

(Yei) – Residents and traders in Yei River County are reporting a steady drop in the prices of food items, with many attributing the trend to better road security and increased availability of locally grown produce.

The decline in prices over the past month is offering some relief to families struggling with the country’s ongoing economic hardship.

Speaking at Lutaya Market in Yei, local trader Jamba Tella Richard said the improvement in the security situation across the county has allowed more goods to reach town markets. This has helped lower the cost of essential items.

“Prices in the market have reduced compared to previous weeks. Currently, ten kilograms of maize cost around 46,000 South Sudanese Pounds, which is about 10 US Dollars at the official rate, or 6.60 USD at the parallel market rate.

Similarly, ten kilograms of sorghum is now 45,000 SSP (9.68 USD officially, 6.43 USD on the parallel market). A cup of beans that used to cost 5,000 SSP (1.08 USD or 0.71 USD) is now down to 3,500 SSP,” she explained.

Jamba noted that while traders naturally aim for profit, many are adjusting prices to reflect the financial hardships that most local families are facing. According to her, many customers cannot afford to buy large quantities and instead purchase food in smaller portions such as cups.

She appealed to farmers to lower their farmgate prices to ease the burden on urban residents.

“If farmers can slightly reduce the cost of their produce, then traders like us can adjust our prices too. That way, we all survive, and we still earn enough to pay school fees and meet our needs,” she added.

Grace Oliver, another trader at Lutaya Market, confirmed the drop in prices and said that while security has improved along some supply routes, many traders still fear going to rural areas due to sporadic incidents of insecurity. She called on authorities to increase efforts in securing roads and marketplaces.

Oliver emphasised that better infrastructure and guaranteed safety would encourage more trade and ensure consistent food supply in urban markets, which in turn would stabilise prices further.

Both traders urged the government to consider reducing taxes on food commodities to help ease the cost of living for ordinary citizens.

They noted that high taxes on essential goods, combined with transport risks, continue to make basic items expensive for many families.

Betty Khamisa, a local buyer at Lutaya Market, expressed her satisfaction with the current prices.

“I came to buy fresh beans, cassava flour, and other products, and I found that prices have gone down compared to previous months. It’s a relief,” she said.

Justine Luate, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce in Yei, praised both farmers and traders for the improvement in food availability and pricing.

“That is what we want in Yei, and we hope this improvement will continue in the other markets,” he said.

Luate further called on the government to enhance security along all major supply routes, rehabilitate roads and unify the tax collection system. He stressed that the current multi-layered tax system at national, state, and county levels is putting pressure on both local and foreign traders operating in the region.

In a related development, Emmanuel Taban Seme, the Commissioner of Yei River County, recently urged the youth to embrace agriculture during the rainy season.

He described farming as a sustainable and practical way to combat hunger and rebuild the local economy, especially at a time when national food security remains fragile.

Despite improvements in local production, South Sudan continues to rely heavily on imported food items from neighbouring countries such as Uganda.

Disruptions in these supply chains have often caused sharp increases in market prices. However, it is evident stakeholders in the fertile river county believe that with the right support to local farmers, improved infrastructure, and clear taxation policies the current progress can be sustained and expanded across the region.

Editor’s note: The recent price reduction, though small, offers hope to a population struggling with inflation and unemployment. However, traders and consumers agree that further improvements in road safety, market regulation and support to farmers are essential if the trend is to continue and benefit more people across Yei River County.