South Sudan - Market Assessment, February 2015

This paper reports the findings of a countrywide rapid market assessment. Some of the key findings of the study include:

• Uncertainty and an over-reliance on oil exports have led to a depreciating unofficial exchange rate and almost exhausted foreign exchange reserves;
• Conflict continues to impact trade flows, mainly in states directly affected by conflict;
• Supply chains are restricted by conflict as well as by structural market inefficiencies;
• The combined effect of the conflict and the poor road network has isolated already fragmented markets;
• The large variation in prices across markets confirms inefficiencies and food availability issues;
• There is a mixed picture about the capacity of markets to secure food supply and a relatively stable market environment to support market-based interventions.