Attachments
INTRODUCTION
With the aim of informing cash-based interventions and to better understand market dynamics in South Sudan, the Joint Market Monitoring Initiative (JMMI) was initiated by the South Sudan Cash Working Group (CWG) in August 2019. The initiative is guided by the JMMI Technical Working Group, led by REACH, and supported by the CWG members. The initiative is funded by Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA). Marketplaces across South Sudan are assessed on a monthly basis. In each location, field teams record prices and other market indicators through trader interviews.This factsheet presents an overview of prices for key foods and non-food items (NFIs) in the assessed areas, as well as the costs associated with key elements of the Multi-Sector Survival Minimum Expenditure Basket (MSSMEB).
Market Functionality Score (MFS)
The Market Functionality Score (MFS) is a method of classifying markets based on their level of functionality. The MFS is divided into five dimensions:
• Accessibility (25%): physical and social access to markets
• Availability (30%): ability of markets to consistently supply core commodities
• Affordability (15%): financial access to markets and price volatility
• Resilience (20%): vulnerability of supply chains and ease of restocking
• Infrastructure (10%): state of markets
KEY FINDINGS
• Between March and April, there was a notable surge in the median prices of essential food items at monitored markets nationwide. Maize grain saw a 33% increase, Sorghum grain rose by 31%, Groundnuts jumped by 26%, and Rice went up by 24%. Concurrently, the median prices for a basic food expenditure basket spiked by 27%, Notably, the highest prices for the Multi- Sectoral Survival Minimum Expenditure Basket (MSSMEB) were observed in Koch, Panyagor, Nyal, and Warrap (Tonj North) during this period.
• The high MSSMEB prices could be explained by the reported high taxation in the marketplaces (33%), high checkpoint costs (26%), high fuel prices (26%), and poor road conditions (22%).
• Since March 2024, Panyagor experienced the highest monthly increase in the value of the MSSMEB, soaring by 124%. Following closely behind were Tonj North with a 123% increase, Tonj East at 94%, Rumbek Centre with 73% and Tonj South with a 63% surge.
• Since March 2024, the most substantial monthly increase in the cost of the food basket were noted in Panyagor, surging by 143%. following closely were Tonj North with a 134% increase, Tonj East at 105%, Maridi with a 68% rise, and Tonj South experiencing a 66% increase.
• Traders in assessed locations reported that roads from Yei to Maridi, and Bentiu to Koch were closed due to poor road conditions and insecurity along the supply routes.