The Cost of Imports to South Sudan

South Sudan is known for importing produce, meat, and items vital for the day-to-day living of its population within the country. It has been reported that it costs the nation between $200 to 300 million every year, according to an Abidjan-based African Development Bank (AFDB) report. Here is the breakdown of what is being bought; it is reported that ‘’Chicken came from Brazil. Tomatoes, onions, maize flour, cooking oil, dairy products and beans are still imported from neighbouring Uganda. China and Dubai export a variety of goods such as soft drinks, smartphones, and construction materials.’’ As a result of this dire situation, South Sudan imports 50% of all fresh produce and 40% of cereals from countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda due to the lack of development in the agricultural sector.

The neglect of the vital sector such as agriculture has led to a dependency that is not sustainable for the country's future in the long run. We have the land, resources, waters, cattle, and vegetation, to name a few, to sustain ourselves. We have what it takes to become a stable and independent nation, but poor leadership and lack of development in critical sectors have made the country vulnerable to situations like these. We have the climate, soil and natural resources that are conducive to developing our commercial farming industries and the development of the agricultural sector. We all have the ideal conditions to not depend on others for our livelihood.

Source:

https://reliefweb.int/report/south-sudan/turning-agriculture