A butcher cuts meat at a market in Juba, South Sudan, on September 26, 2014. AFP PHOTO/CHARLES LOMODONG (Photo credit should read CHARLES LOMODONG/AFP via Getty Images)

Central Equatoria State Butchers Union has announced an increase in meat prices across all markets in Juba as poor roads cut off supply of cows from neighboring Pibor Administrative Area.

The price of cow’s meat has been raised from 6,000 South Sudan pounds per kilogram to 8,000 pounds, according to the butchers’ body.

Similarly, the price of mutton (meat of goat or sheep) has been adjusted to 10,000 pounds per kilogram, previously being at 8,000 pounds.

These new price adjustments came into effect on November 26th, 2023.

The chairperson of the union, Peter Lado, stated that this price increase is as a result of the poor road conditions between Juba and Pibor.

“It has nothing to do with the rise in the price of the dollar. The reason for the increase is poor roads. Initially, Pibor Road was helpful, but it is now impassable,” Ladu said.

Mr. Ladu said the Butchers Union normally receives a supply of between 7,000 and 8,000 cows per month from Pibor cattle traders.

“It was helping. But with the lack of cows currently available, brokers and butchers raised prices.”

He also stated, the butchers in Juba do not only rely on Pibor for meat supply, but also depend on the Bahr El-Ghazal region and East Equatoria state.

The Butchers Union has also cited the “rampant economic situation” in the country as a factor contributing to the increase in meat prices.

According to Lado, the butchers heavily rely on cattle transportation from Pibor to supply the markets in Juba.

The Butchers Union has directed all market branches to enforce the new price changes without any violation.

Ladu said the situation has also led to the increase in the price of cows to around 1,000,000 South Sudan pound, “and its size does not reach 50 kilos and does not bring in money.”

“Sometimes you get 700 thousand or 800 thousand and do not get enough money compared to the purchase price, so we increased the price of meat.”