South Sudan Joint Market Monitoring Initiative (JMMI) 1 - 13 April 2026

KEY FINDINGS

• Between March and April 2026, the median cost of the Multi-Sector Survival Minimum Expenditure Basket (MSSMEB) increased by 17%, while the food basket rose by 19%. This increase was mainly driven by higher prices of key commodities, including maize grain (50%), soap (29%), sorghum grain (26%), beans (26%), and charcoal (6%).

• In April 2026, the highest MSSMEB prices were recorded in Ajuong Thok Refugee Camp (Pariang County), Bentiu IDP Camp (Rubkona County), Mingkaman (Awerial County), Malakal Town (Malakal County), Pariang Town (Pariang County), Jamjang ( Pariang County), and Renk Town (Renk County).

• Overall, MSSMEB and food basket costs increased across several locations during this period, placing additional pressure on household purchasing power, largely driven by rising prices of essential items such as cereals, soap, beans, and charcoal, as well as broader constraints including high taxation (38%), currency depreciation (34%), elevated fuel prices (34%), poor road conditions (25%), checkpoint-related costs (21%), and limited access to market capital (21%) reported by assessed traders.

• In April, MSSMEB and food basket prices increased across several locations in South Sudan, with the highest rises in Tambura Town (Tambura County) at 78% and 79%, followed by Akot (Rumbek East County) at 43% and 48%, Gok Machar (Aweil North County) at 36% and 38%, and Juba (Juba County) at 35% and 51%, while more moderate increases of 24% to 32% were recorded in Wanyjok (Aweil East County), Marial Baai (Aweil West County), and the Abyei Region.

• Traders in the assessed areas also reported disruptions to market access, including the closure of the road from Yambio to Tambura (Tambura County) due to poor road conditions.

• Some areas recorded increases exceeding 15% in both March and April compared to the reference month, including Rumbek Centre (32%, 32%), Wulu (23%, 23%), Aweil North (17%, 25%), Panyijar (16%, 28%), Rubkona (20%, 21%), Melut (27%, 18%), Tonj East (15%, 20%), Twic (29%, 16%), Nzara (16%, 21%), and Jur River (17%, 15%).

Source: https://reliefweb.int/report/south-sudan/south-sudan-joint-market-monitoring-initiative-jmmi-1-13-april-2026