The food gap in South Sudan is the result of high prices of fuel and goods and local low production.
Commerce, industry and investment minister Garang Diing Akuang told Members of Parliament today that the factors affecting food security are internal, regional and international.
He said the harvest was bad leaving a food gap of 700,000 metric tonnes to be filled with expensive goods from East Africa.
Mr. Diing added that the shortage of production in East Africa contributed to the food deficit in South Sudan together with the blockade Khartoum put in place last May.
He also cited the high demand of relief food for refugees from Somalia in Uganda and Kenya and the high cost of dollars in the black market.
Mr. Diing noted that climate change effects affected food production globally and in many countries food is being produced to make bio fuel.
The minister said piracy off Somalia has increased insurance costs of ships and it affects the price of food.
Mr. Diing noted that the government wants to boost agricultural activities in South Sudan as a long term solution to fill the food gap.