Fuel shortages and high production costs are damaging crops in Sudan's El Gezira state. A farmer, Mohammed, reported that large areas of the maize crop have been damaged due to a lack of petrol for irrigation pumps. The price of a four-gallon container of petrol has surged to SDG600,000, forcing Mohammed to search for fuel outside the state to save his remaining crop. This situation may worsen food insecurity and hunger.
Food prices have sharply increased in El Gezira markets, including those in El Maseed, El Ma'aliq, and El Kamlin. Resident Ahmed Mohammed El Khair stated that essential commodities like maize, lentils, sesame, and wheat have seen significant price hikes. A sack of maize now costs between SDG800,000 and SDG820,000, while a sack of wheat is around SDG780,000. Lentils sell for SDG850,000 per sack, and a sack of sesame has reached SDG860,000. These price increases have severely affected residents' purchasing power.
The rising food and transport costs are placing additional pressure on household budgets. Transporting goods in Omdurman now exceeds SDG2 million, and taxi fares in Kassala have reached SDG20,000 per passenger. El Khair described the situation as a serious concern and called on government authorities to intervene. The reduced purchasing power and market activity are affecting residents, particularly those with low or no incomes.
In North Kordofan, a general strike by bakeries in El Obeid has disrupted bread supplies due to a dispute over production costs and bread prices. Journalist Omar Mohammed Omar reported that the complete shutdown has left residents struggling to access a basic food staple. The strike affects daily life, especially for families and schoolchildren who rely on bread for breakfast.
The bakeries' strike is a response to the high production costs and the size and quality of bread being sold. Omar criticised the bread, saying it does not meet expected standards. Previously, bread prices reached SDG2,000 and, in some cases, SDG3,000, amid demands for prices to reflect the actual weight, size, and nutritional value of each loaf.
The situation in El Gezira and North Kordofan highlights the challenges faced by residents due to fuel shortages, high food prices, and strikes. The affected areas are experiencing significant disruptions to daily life, and residents are calling for government intervention to address these issues. The impact on food security and household budgets is a major concern.
The fuel shortages, rising food prices, and bakeries' strike have created a complex situation in Sudan. With the price of essential commodities and transport costs continuing to surge, residents are struggling to cope. The government faces pressure to address these challenges and find solutions to mitigate the effects on the population.
Key points
- Fuel shortages damage crops in El Gezira, Sudan.
- Food prices rise sharply in El Gezira markets.
- Bakeries in North Kordofan go on strike over production costs and bread prices.
