Fish Sellers in Unity State Welcome Cold Storage Support

(RUBKONA) – Traders in Rubkona, northern South Sudan, are now able to store and sell fresh fish and produce thanks to new freezer equipment installed at the local market through support from the British Embassy in Juba under the UKAid programme.

The addition of cold storage is already making a practical difference for small scale market traders, many of whom previously relied on selling perishable goods within the same day due to a lack of refrigeration. Without proper storage, large amounts of food, particularly fish, would spoil in the heat, leading to significant daily losses and limited income.

According to the British Embassy, the project is part of a broader initiative aimed at strengthening market infrastructure and enabling South Sudanese businesses to thrive. Traders can now store unsold goods overnight and continue selling the next day, ensuring less waste and more consistent earnings.

One trader, who sells fish in the Rubkona market, said the new freezers have allowed her to increase the size of her stock and serve more customers.

“Before, we had to sell everything quickly or lose it. Now I can keep fish fresh and sell at a better price the next morning,” she said.

The project also contributes to community food security by improving access to fresh produce. Households can now buy fish that is kept chilled, reducing health risks associated with spoiled food. This has created more consumer confidence and helped to stabilise market demand.

Rubkona is located in Unity State, one of the areas most affected by conflict and displacement in South Sudan. Many residents rely on small scale trade and agriculture to survive.

The UKAid support aims to encourage private sector development by building basic infrastructure in areas where local entrepreneurs often struggle with poor logistics, lack of electricity, and limited access to financial services.

Cold storage is especially vital for perishable goods, and for traders without access to electricity at home, having reliable freezers in the market is a major shift. The freezers operate using a combination of solar energy and local power, depending on availability.

The British Embassy did not disclose the total cost of the market upgrade.

This initiative is part of a wider UKAid campaign to promote economic resilience in fragile regions of South Sudan. The #THRIVE programme supports market driven solutions to poverty by creating opportunities for micro and small enterprises, particularly those run by women and displaced persons.