South Sudan Joint Market Monitoring Initiative (JMMI) 1 - 9 March 2026

Country: South Sudan Source: REACH Initiative Please refer to the attached file. KEY FINDINGS • Between February and March 2026, the median cost of the Multi-Sector Survival Minimum Expenditure Basket (MSSMEB) increased by 6%, while the food basket increased by 4%. The surge in MSSMEB costs was primarily driven by a substantial increase in milling costs (50%). Conversely, the increase in the food basket was mainly driven by rising prices of essential food commodities, including salt (24%), maize grain (14%), and sorghum grain (2%). • In March 2026, the highest MSSMEB prices were recorded in Bentiu IDP Camp (Rubkona County), Malakal Town (Malakal County), Wulu (Wulu County), and Nyangore (Ulang County). • Between February and March 2026, MSSMEB and food basket costs rose sharply across several locations, increasing pressure on household purchasing power. This was driven by higher prices of cereals, charcoal, and milling services, likely linked to constraints such as high taxation, currency depreciation, limited capital, and high fuel prices. • MSSMEB and food basket costs increased significantly across several locations. In Wulu Town, costs rose by 40% and 32%, respectively. In Bor Town, the MSSMEB increased by 38%, while the food basket rose by 20%. In Wunrok (Twic County), the MSSMEB increased by 25%, and the food basket by 28%. • Traders in the assessed locations reported that the road from Torit to Ikotos (Ikotos county), was closed due to poor road conditions. • The March JMMI survey found that traders in South Sudan face key constraints undermining market stability, including high taxation (44%), currency depreciation (42%), poor roads (42%), limited capital (34%), high fuel (31%), lack of transport (30%), checkpoint costs (29%), and movement restrictions (28%).

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