Sudan is grappling with a severe bread crisis as flour shortages and skyrocketing prices make it difficult for families to afford basic necessities. Residents of Omdurman, a city in Sudan, have expressed concerns about the decreasing size and quantity of bread they can purchase due to rising costs. A Sudanese woman noted that her family can no longer afford bread or meat as prices continue to surge in the war-torn country.
Authorities in Blue Nile state have attempted to address the issue by allowing bakeries to sell two loaves of bread for SDG 1,000. However, bakery owners across several states, including Gezira, North Kordofan, and Khartoum, have complained about the steep increases in production costs, particularly flour and oil. Despite price controls, manufacturers have failed to comply, leading to growing pressures on Sudan's baking industry.
The situation has been further exacerbated by flour companies introducing another price increase, taking the price of a 25kg sack of flour to SDG 190,500, up from about SDG 165,000. Bakery owners have reported that sales agents for some companies have failed to respond to requests to supply flour, claiming it is unavailable. This has resulted in a sharp flour shortage, leaving families in Khartoum state with less bread available in the markets as prices soar.
According to Essam Okasha, spokesperson for the Khartoum State Bakery Owners' Association, prices of bread-making inputs continue to rise. He expressed hope that the intervention by Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan, head of Sudan's Sovereignty Council, would produce tangible results and reduce production costs in the coming days. The head of the Sovereignty Council has taken a direct interest in addressing the issue.
The crisis has had a devastating impact on families, with consumers now getting half as much bread for the same amount of money. The situation is particularly dire in Khartoum state, where the bakers' association has reported a significant decline in bread availability. However, there are some encouraging reports from El Gezira state, where prices of maize and other crops have fallen due to restrictions on crop movements and increased supplies from the new harvest.
The Sudanese army chief, Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan, has ordered a probe into an airstrike that killed 72 people, including gold miners. The incident has added to the country's instability and raised concerns about the humanitarian situation. The UN and Swiss officials have also held talks on the Sudan conflict, emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution.
The bread crisis has highlighted the need for urgent action to address the humanitarian situation in Sudan. With prices continuing to rise and flour shortages persisting, families are struggling to access basic necessities. The international community has condemned drone strikes on civilians and infrastructure in Sudan, emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Key points
- Flour prices have risen sharply in Sudan, with a 25kg sack of flour now costing SDG 190,500.
- Authorities have attempted to address the crisis by allowing bakeries to sell two loaves of bread for SDG 1,000.
- The crisis has had a devastating impact on families, with consumers now getting half as much bread for the same amount of money.
