(JUBA) – Market prices across South Sudan showed a slight national decline between June and July 2025, but a closer analysis reveals that this drop masks sharp regional disparities, with several states experiencing dramatic price surges. Bor South in Jonglei State, Twic County in Warrap State, and Fangak County in Upper Nile have emerged as some of the hardest hit areas, with food prices soaring by over 60 percent in some locations, according to the latest market monitoring data.
The South Sudan Joint Market Monitoring Initiative (JMMI), which collected price data between 1 and 8 July 2025, reported that while the national median cost of the Minimum Survival Standard Market Expenditure Basket (MSSMEB) fell by 1 percent, the situation varied significantly at the sub-national level.
For Bor South, the MSSMEB rose by 46 percent while the food basket jumped by a staggering 62 percent in just one month. In Twic County’s Turalei, prices increased by 28 percent for the MSSMEB and 36 percent for the food basket. Similar trends were observed in Fagwir, Fangak County, where the MSSMEB rose by 26 percent and the food basket by 25 percent.
The table below summarises the highest recorded price increases:
| Location | MSSMEB Increase (%) | Food Basket Increase (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Bor South | 46% | 62% |
| Turalei (Twic) | 28% | 36% |
| Fagwir (Fangak) | 26% | 25% |
| Ariath (Aweil North) | 21% | 19% |
| Wunrok (Twic) | 19% | 23% |
Meanwhile, areas such as Akon (Gogrial West), Wunrok (Twic), Wau, and Warrap (Tonj North) recorded the highest absolute MSSMEB prices, making them some of the most expensive places to meet basic survival needs.
Despite the slight national drop, the primary factors behind overall cost reductions were a 21 percent fall in milling costs and a 10 percent decrease in salt prices. However, these were offset by significant price hikes in maize grain (12 percent), charcoal (12 percent), and beans (11 percent), which are staples for many households.
The underlying reasons for the regional disparities are complex. Traders cited a combination of logistical and economic challenges. Key among them was the depreciation of the South Sudanese Pound (SSP), identified by 39 percent of respondents as a top concern. At the current rate of 4,600 SSP per US dollar, the local currency has continued to lose purchasing power, directly affecting import and distribution costs.
Other trader reported obstacles included:
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Poor road conditions: 38%
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High market taxes: 25%
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High fuel prices: 25%
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Unfavourable river transport conditions: 20%
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Border closures: 18%
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Checkpoint costs: 17%
In some areas, traders faced complete road closures. For instance, the routes from Narus (Kapoeta East County) to Pochalla and from Tishwin (a northern border point) to Rubkona were rendered impassable due to seasonal deterioration and insecurity. This has limited the movement of goods and further strained market availability.
While the slight national decrease in MSSMEB offers a glimmer of hope, the data points to a growing inequality in food access and affordability across South Sudan. Residents in counties like Bor South, Twic, and Fangak remain particularly vulnerable to inflationary pressures and supply chain disruptions.
Without targeted policy responses, improvements in national indicators may continue to obscure the severity of conditions faced in conflict affected and hard to reach regions.
