Lakes State Seeks Relief From High Food Costs

(JUBA) – South Sudan’s Ministry of Trade and Industry has committed to fast tracking food subsidy measures and strengthening quality control oversight in Lakes State, following high level discussions aimed at easing pressure on consumers and improving market stability.

The meeting, held in Juba on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, brought together the national Minister of Trade and Industry, Atong Kuol Manyang Juuk, and a delegation from Lakes State. The talks highlighted growing concerns over rising food prices and the need for stronger enforcement of product standards in regional markets.

The Lakes State delegation was led by the State Minister of Trade and Industry, Rebecca Enock Macuoc, and included the Chairperson of the State Chamber of Commerce, Malok Marial Kuctiel. They presented a detailed assessment of challenges facing traders and consumers in the state, calling for direct national support to protect households and support lawful business activity.

A key request focused on commodity subsidies. The delegation urged the national government to support the design and implementation of food subsidy programmes in Lakes State to reduce the impact of high prices on citizens. Food affordability remains a major concern across South Sudan, particularly in states that rely heavily on supplies transported from other regions.

The second priority raised was the absence of a permanent operational presence of the National Bureau of Standards in Lakes State. State officials called for the deployment of dedicated standards officers, along with laboratory and testing equipment, to ensure that goods sold in local markets meet basic quality and safety requirements.

Responding to the concerns, Minister Atong Kuol Manyang Juuk thanked the delegation for engaging directly with the national ministry. She acknowledged the seriousness of the issues and said market interventions, especially those related to food prices, would be treated as a priority.

She confirmed that the Ministry of Trade and Industry is currently working on a national framework for food subsidy strategies. According to the minister, the framework is being coordinated by a national committee and follows consultations with the wider business community. The objective is to stabilise markets across the country rather than address price pressures in isolation.

Minister Atong also reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to empowering state and administrative area governments by aligning their trade policies with national objectives. She said a unified approach would help reduce fragmentation, promote fair competition and create a more predictable business environment throughout South Sudan.

The minister highlighted the importance of security in enabling trade and investment. She expressed appreciation to the Governor of Lakes State, Rin Tueny Mabor, for efforts to stabilise security conditions, noting that economic activity cannot grow in an insecure environment.

Looking ahead, Minister Atong announced that the national ministry, with support from the United Nations Development Programme, will convene a National Consultative Conference for all state and administrative area ministers of trade. The meeting is scheduled for early January 2026 in Juba and is expected to serve as a platform for policy alignment and shared planning.

For businesses operating in Lakes State, the commitments made in Juba signal potential improvements in market regulation and consumer protection. Faster progress on food subsidies and stronger standards enforcement could help ease price pressures, improve confidence and support more stable trade conditions in the state.

Key issues raised by Lakes State

The Ministry of Trade and Industry said continued dialogue with states and the private sector will be essential as it works to strengthen domestic trade and support economic recovery across South Sudan.