(JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN) – The cost of the Multi-Sector Survival Minimum Expenditure Basket for a six-person household in South Sudan fell by 10% in September 2026 to 804,633 SSP ($142), according to the Joint Market Monitoring Initiative.
The initiative, led by REACH and guided by the South Sudan Cash Working Group, published the findings in its September 2026 factsheet covering the period from 1st to 11th September 2026.
The decline followed a 16% increase recorded in August 2026, when the basket cost stood at 906,023 SSP. The September decrease of 101,390 SSP ($18) was mainly driven by lower prices of essential food commodities and non-food items.
The food basket also fell by 7% in September to 650,449 SSP ($115), a decrease of 54,667 SSP ($10) compared with August.
Compared with September 2025, the Multi-Sector Survival Minimum Expenditure Basket rose by 10%, an increase of 74,149 SSP, while the food basket rose by 15%, an increase of 84,094 SSP.
The assessment covered 51 locations, 65 marketplaces and 34 commodities. A total of 1,057 trader key informants and 49 partner key informants were surveyed, giving 1,106 key informant interviews. Twenty one agencies participated.
The largest monthly increases were recorded in Wulu, where the basket rose by 28% and the food basket by 45%.
This was followed by Pibor with increases of 26% and 41%, Tambura with increases of 25% and 31%, and Mundri with increases of 18% and 26%.
Despite lower prices, market constraints persist. Traders reported SSP depreciation at 41%, poor road conditions at 31%, high taxation at 31%, high fuel costs at 24% and limited capital at 20% as the main challenges.
These factors continue to increase operating costs and constrain traders’ ability to reduce prices.
Market functionality declined between August and September 2026, with limited functionality reported in 18% of locations in September, or 9 of 51, compared with 24% in August, or 11 of 45.
Market constraints continued to affect the availability, affordability and accessibility of essential items.
The official exchange rate stood at 1 USD to 5,649 SSP, a monthly change of less than 1%. The parallel market rate was reported at 7,400 SSP per dollar, a decrease of 14% since August but an increase of 23% since September 2025.
High basket costs remained concentrated in Ganyiel, Malakal Town, Panyagor, Bentiu IDP Camp and Ayod, which were also among the most expensive locations in August.
Pibor Town, Wulu Town and Rumbek Town emerged among the highest cost locations in September, indicating shifts in expenditure pressures across locations.
The highest food basket costs were recorded in Unity markets including Ganyiel and Bentiu IDP Camp, Jonglei markets including Pibor, Panyagor and Ayod, Upper Nile particularly Malakal Town, and Lakes State particularly Wulu Town.
Markets in Western Equatoria continued to record the lowest food basket costs.
A decline in the cost of the food basket was observed across most areas of the country, possibly linked to the availability of the first harvest of crops, which increased food supply in local markets and contributed to downward pressure on food prices.
However, currency depreciation and rising fuel prices, from 22,000 to 25,833 SSP per litre in the parallel market, may continue to place upward pressure on staple food, affecting transportation and commodity costs amid constrained household purchasing power.
Sorghum grain was priced at 4,273 SSP per kilogram ($0.76), a fall of 10% since August and a rise of 2% since September 2025.
Maize grain stood at 4,106 SSP per kilogram ($0.73), down 16% monthly but up 24% yearly. Wheat flour was 12,000 SSP per kilogram ($2.12), down 4% monthly and up 20% yearly.
Rice was 12,000 SSP per kilogram ($2.12), up 11% monthly and 20% yearly. Groundnuts were 5,579 SSP per kilogram ($0.99), up 23% monthly and 33% yearly.
Beans were 13,000 SSP per kilogram ($2.30), unchanged monthly but up 8% yearly. Sugar was 10,877 SSP per kilogram ($1.93), down 8% monthly and up 10% yearly.
Salt was 5,882 SSP per kilogram ($1.04), down 13% monthly and up 31% yearly. Cooking oil was 20,000 SSP per litre ($3.54), unchanged monthly but up 50% yearly.
Among non-food items, a soap bar of 200 grammes cost 3,333 SSP ($0.59), unchanged monthly but up 43% yearly. A jerrycan cost 23,750 SSP ($4.20), unchanged monthly but up 42% yearly.
A mosquito net cost 25,000 SSP ($4.43), down 2% monthly and 17% yearly. An exercise book was 5,000 SSP ($0.89), down 9% monthly and unchanged yearly.
A blanket cost 48,000 SSP ($8.50), up 7% monthly and 20% yearly. A cooking pot was 52,500 SSP ($9.29), unchanged monthly and up 1% yearly.
A plastic sheet cost 120,000 SSP ($21.24), up 1% monthly and 44% yearly. A pole was 18,000 SSP ($3.19), up 20% monthly and 33% yearly.
Firewood was 10,000 SSP per bundle ($1.77), unchanged monthly but up 67% yearly. Charcoal was 1,297 SSP per kilogram ($0.23), down 21% monthly and 4% yearly.
A rubber rope cost 12,000 SSP ($2.12), down 34% monthly but up 33% yearly. A kanga was 62,500 SSP ($11.06), up 4% monthly and 14% yearly.
A solar lamp cost 46,250 SSP ($8.19), up 3% monthly and 54% yearly. A plastic bucket was 27,750 SSP ($4.91), down 8% monthly but up 39% yearly.
Sanitary pads cost 9,000 SSP ($1.59), down 10% monthly but up 13% yearly.
Among livestock, a goat cost 250,000 SSP ($44.26), down 4% monthly but up 3% yearly. A chicken was 30,000 SSP ($5.31), down 14% monthly and unchanged yearly.
Milling costs stood at 1,143 SSP per kilogram ($0.20), unchanged monthly and yearly.
The non-food item basket fell by 2% in September to 385,000 SSP ($68). Despite the overall decrease, Ezo, Abyei, Malakal Town, Wulu Town, Torit Town and Magwi Town recorded the highest non-food item prices.
The shelter component of the basket rose by 2% in September to 739,000 SSP ($131), following a 10% increase in August.
Kodok, Malakal, Panyagor, Bentiu IDP Camp, Rubkona Town, Kurenge and Wulu recorded the highest shelter costs.
The water, sanitation and hygiene component fell by 3% in September to 81,500 SSP ($14), after a 17% increase in August.
Malakal, Tonj, Warawar, Luonyaker, Abyei and Torit recorded relatively high water, sanitation and hygiene costs in September. In August, the highest costs had been recorded in Ezo, Wanyjok, Warawar, Luonyaker, Tonj and Malakal.
Cash in South Sudanese pounds was the most accepted payment modality at 96%, followed by cash in US dollars at 46%, credit at 21%, barter at 19%, mobile money at 17% and cash in other currencies at 5%.
Traders reported seasonal road closures continued to constrain market supply in both August and September 2026. The Raja border crossing between South Sudan and Sudan remained closed, and in September the Tallodi corridor was also reported closed.
In August, road closures were reported along the Maridi to Yei route. In September, closures were reported along the Bor to Akobo, Lankien to Waat, Dukpadiet to Waat, Waat to Akobo and Pibor to Akobo routes.
Primary transportation methods used by traders to restock local cereals were cars at 56%, boda motorcycles at 17%, trucks at 17%, boats at 8%, bicycles at 1% and people at 1%.
Food traders’ expectations for prices over the next three months showed 82% expecting an increase and 18% expecting no change.
Non-food item traders’ expectations showed 82% expecting an increase, 9% expecting no change and 9% unsure.
Median time to restock locally produced cereals from out of town was two days. The median time to restock non-food items from out of town was three days.
Reported restocking sources for staple cereal traders were wholesalers at 70% and local producers at 30%.
The Multipurpose Cash Assistance transfer values increased by 15% or more in Wulu at 19% and Mundri West at 19% compared with August 2026. These markets will be monitored for increases in October.
The Minimum Expenditure Basket represents the estimated monthly cost of goods and services required by a typical household to meet essential needs through the market.
The Survival Minimum Expenditure Basket includes only a proportion of each sectoral basket. Current inclusion rates are food at 50%, except in the priority counties of Ulang, Nasir, Duk, Fangak and Canal Pigi where 70% is used, water, sanitation and hygiene at 20%, shelter at 20%, non-food items at 20%, protection and gender based violence at 50%, health at 50%, energy at 30%, education at 30%, communication at 100%, milling costs at 50% and transport allowance at 20%.
All calculations use the official USD to SSP exchange rate.
The Multipurpose Cash Assistance transfer value is derived from the Survival Minimum Expenditure Basket, with an additional 15% buffer applied for inflation and market volatility.
Regular transfer values are set at 80% of the Multipurpose Cash Assistance value. Transfer values are based on a Cash Working Group selected reference month.
The initiative is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Participating agencies in September included Action Against Hunger, ACTED, Adventist Development and Relief Agency, Caritas, Concern Worldwide, Catholic Relief Services, Drop in the Bucket, Goal, International Organization for Migration, International Rescue Committee, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Lutheran World Federation, Nile Hope, Norwegian People’s Aid, Root of Generations, Save the Children, Solidarites International, Support for Peace and Education Development, Star Trust Organization, VSF-Suisse and Youth Affairs Centre for Africa.
According to the Joint Market Monitoring Initiative, the prices were normalised by setting August 2019 as the baseline.
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