South Sudan Joint Market Monitoring Initiative (JMMI) 1- 7 July 2024

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 MultiSector 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 June and July, the median prices of essential food items in monitored markets nationwide experienced a notable rise. Maize grain increased by 20%, groundunts by 18%, and sorghum grains by 14%. Concurrently, the median prices for the food expenditure basket saw a 10% increase, while the MSSMEB rose by 8%. The highest prices for the MSSMEB were reported in Ganylel (Panyijiar), Mayendit, Leer, Old Fangak, and Bor town during this period.
• The high MSSMEB prices could be attributed to several factors: depreciation of the South Sudanese Pound (SSP) as well as restocking constraints such as high taxation in the marketplaces (mentioned by 26% of surveyed traders), poor road conditions 23%, high checkpoint costs 20%, lack of capital 16%, high fuel prices 15%.
• Since June 2024, Ganylel experienced the highest monthly increase in the value of the MSSMEB, soaring by 82%. Following closely behind were Kaya refugee camp with a 51% increase, Rumbek centre at 50%, Bor with a 49% rise, and Narus with a 48% surge.
• Since June 2024, the most substantial monthly increase in the cost of the food basket was noted in Ganylel, surging by 99%. Following closely were Kaya with a 61% increase, Bor town at 60%, Narus with a 54% rise, and Malekalel experiencing a 43% increase.
• Traders in the assessed locations reported that roads from Bor to Pibor, Bor to Akobo, and Pibor to Akobo were closed due to poor road conditions.