Attachments
Key findings
Rising prices topped the list of challenges faced by retailers, a trend that most anticipated would persist in the coming months. A significant driver of price increases was the continued acceleration in food prices. The median cost of the JMMI food basket rose by 25% compared to November of the previous year, with the most notable annual surges in prices for vegetables, such as cabbage (+226%), carrots (+189%), and potatoes (+151%).
Nationwide, rising prices have significantly impacted access to goods, with 75% of customer KIs identifying higher prices as their primary financial barrier. The elderly population was particularly affected, with 91% of customer KIs aged 60 and above reporting an inability to afford essential items available in stores.
While local markets functioned well in most of the country, access to stores and markets in southern and eastern areas near the frontline remained limited due to security concerns, damaged market infrastructure or roads leading to these locations, and limited transportation options. Customer KIs in these locations also reported challenges in obtaining essential items and fuels due to their partial or complete unavailability. Additionally, access to money was constrained by the lack of functioning banks and ATMs within these hromadas.