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 the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). 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
23 Participating agencies
56 Assessed locations
1026 Key informant interviews (KIIs)
81 Assessed marketplaces
34 Assessed commodities
KEY FINDINGS
• Between October and November 2024, both the median cost of the MSSMEB and food basket increased by 5%. The surge in MSSMEB and food basket costs is primarily driven by price increase for essential items in MSSMEB and food basket such as cooking oil (42%), rice (21%), beans (8%) and salt (7%).
• The highest MSSMEB prices were recorded in Pochala Town (Pochala), Wulu Town, Melut Town, Thoan -site D (Guit), Paloich (Melut County), Leer Town, Bentiu PoC, Old Fangak, and Wunrok (Twic).
• Since October 2024, Watmuok (Aweil South) has experienced the highest monthly increase, with the MSSMEB rising by 90% and the food basket soaring by 111%. Wunrok experienced a 49% increase in the MSSMEB and a 51% rise in the food basket, while Walgak saw a 44% increase in the MSSMEB and a 58% rise 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, Guit to Leer, and Koch to Leer were closed due to poor road conditions and seasonality.
• The increase in MSSMEB and food basket costs in November 2024 could be driven by several factors that add to this situation, such as the depreciation of South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) (15%) and various restocking challenges. These include poor road conditions (mentioned by 44% of surveyed traders), border closures (25%), high taxation in the marketplaces (21%), high checkpoint costs (17%), and high fuel prices (14%).