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’ physical and financial infrastructure
Key Findings
- Between July and August, the median prices of essential food items across monitored markets nationwide saw significant increases. Groundnuts surged by 85%, cooking oil by 41%, and beans by 20%. In contrast, minimal price changes were observed for maize grain, which rose by 1%, and sorghum grain, which increased by 2%. During the same period, the median prices of the food expenditure basket rose by 5%, while the MSSMEB increased by 9%. The highest MSSMEB prices were recorded in Pibor town, Pochala, Ganylel (Panyijiar), Mayendit, and MalekAlel, where costs of MSSMEB exceeded the national median by at least 45%.
- The high MSSMEB prices can be attributed to several factors, including the depreciation of the South Sudanese Pound (SSP) and various restocking challenges. These challenges include poor road conditions (35%), high taxation in marketplaces (29%), high checkpoint costs (22%), high fuel prices (22%), and a lack of capital (17%).
- Since July 2024, MalekAlel has experienced the most significant monthly increases in both the value of the MSSMEB and the cost of the food basket, with the MSSMEB skyrocketing by 84% and the food basket soaring by 93%. Aduel followed closely, with a 76% rise in the MSSMEB and an 85% increase in the food basket. Ariath saw a 60% rise in the MSSMEB and a 61% increase in the food basket.
- Traders in the assessed locations reported that roads from Bor to Akobo, Lankien to Waat, Dukpadiet to Waat, Pibor to Akobo, Narus to Pochala and Malakal to Lankien were closed due to poor road conditions.