Nyala, March 17 (Darfur24)
Markets in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur State, are witnessing a noticeable recovery in commercial activity as Eid al-Fitr approaches, despite a sharp rise in prices.
Trading activity has increased significantly since the reopening of Nyala’s main market and the popular market in May last year after nearly two years of closure. The momentum has continued to build in the weeks leading up to Ramadan and Eid.
Trader Mohi El-Din Shawgar told Darfur24 on Tuesday that demand for Eid-related goods—particularly clothing and shoes—has surged, with most shoppers being women and children.
He added that prices of imported clothing from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and India remain high due to their arrival through smuggling routes from central Sudan. Children’s clothing for girls is selling for between 50,000 and 120,000 Sudanese pounds, while boys’ clothing ranges from 45,000 to 70,000.
Citizen Zamzam Ishaq said the cost of clothing and other Eid necessities, including baked goods and household items, is significantly higher compared to last Eid.
Meanwhile, Fatima Abdul Rahman said she and her neighbor turned to the used clothing market locally known as “Al-Qouqou,” where a full children’s outfit can be purchased for between 25,000 and 30,000 pounds, making it a more affordable option for many families.
Traders noted that most goods currently available in the markets are imported from Chad, particularly men’s clothing and footwear, though they are considered lower in quality compared to products previously sourced from Al-Dabba in Northern State.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has reshaped consumer habits during the holiday season, with many residents now relying on goods entering from Chad and South Sudan due to disrupted supply routes from the country’s central regions.