Juba hit by ‘overnight hike’ in commodity prices
Residents in Juba are panicking after market prices for food and non-food items shot up again after a lengthy period of stability.
Speaking to The City Review yesterday, some wholesalers and consumers expressed concerns about “unexpected hikes” in the prices of commodities in Juba, particularly for essential food items.
Prices of items in markets across Juba have climbed, according to Viola Jackie, a fruit seller on Munuki main road. Businesswomen like her are puzzled, since, according to them, there are no apparent factors triggering the hikes.
She said that the situation has resulted in low sales for businesses since buyers have been caught off guard by market swings.
“I have no idea what is going on. Some of us have been left wondering about what has caused the spike. Consider how things have altered in only a few days. To begin with, prices of goods have risen. Things that we used to buy at a low price have already doubled in price, “Ms. Jackie explained.
“For example, we used to buy a big watermelon at SSP 1,500, but to my surprise, it has increased to SSP 2,500 as of yesterday and some were selling it at SSP3 000,” she said.
Jackie stated that the increase in market prices had caused them to raise their prices to earn some profits so that they can continue with the business.
Drastic change
“You see, when we used to acquire a big watermelon for SSP 1,500, we used to sell it to our clients at SSP 2,000 or 2,500 depending on the quality of each watermelon, but now that things have changed so much, we are forced to sell at SSP 3,500, which buyers even complain about,” Jackie explained.
Meanwhile, Mama Joyce Juma, a 49-year-old Mauna II resident, expressed her dissatisfaction with the recent market price hike. She said the increase had caused individuals to panic because there was no money to spend on such essential products.
“Things are getting worse, I went to the market yesterday to do some modest shopping as usual, but I came home empty-handed because I was confused. Things are increasing, unlike previously.
“When I inquired as to why the costs had risen, no one was able to provide me with a clear explanation as to what had caused the increase. So that is it, but if things keep going at this rate, some of us will perish, I swear, “she stressed.
Joyce urged the relevant authorities to immediately resolve the market’s concern before it spiraled out of hand.
“We know that in South Sudan when prices go up, they usually claim the price of the dollar has gone up, but I didn’t hear anything about the price of the dollar going up this time, even from the people I asked no one brought up the subject of the dollar,” Joyce said
According to a 49-year-old lady, prices of basic food items such as sugar, salt, beans, and oil, have climbed by some percentage, which she could not specify.
When contacted for comment, Robert Pitia, the chairperson of the Central Equatoria State Chamber of Commerce, said he had just returned to the country after spending several weeks abroad.
“Yes, but I have no idea because I was away for a while and only returned to Juba yesterday. Let me find out till tomorrow to determine the source of the rise, “Mr. Pitia said.
Warning issued
Earlier in the month, Pitia warned traders against hiking the prices of goods saying they would be prosecuted for colluding to commit a crime to persecute the consumers.
“We want to get to them [traders] the message that what they are doing is illegal and if they are caught, their licenses will be revoked and if they continue we will write to the authority to expel the person because they are creating for our problem,” said Mr. Pitia.
Mr. Pitia said such practices impact people’s health and ability to provide adequate regular food to their family members because they struggle to afford expired foods expensively.
“It is wrong and we cannot accept cheating on our citizens. What we want is for this thing to stop, so that traders should not take advantage of our local consumers because they are ignorant of their rights, “he added.
