Zalingei, June 25 (Darfur24)
Markets in Zalingei have witnessed a sharp increase in the prices of food commodities and consumer goods amid the continued depreciation of the Sudanese pound and disruptions to trade following the destruction of the Ardamata Bridge, one of the region’s most important transport routes.
Local traders told Darfur24 that prices have risen to unprecedented levels in recent days, significantly reducing purchasing power and forcing many families to limit their spending to essential items.
Trader Ahmed Mohamed Al-Nour said commodity prices had increased sharply within a single week. He attributed the rise primarily to the collapse of the Sudanese pound against the US dollar and the Chadian franc, which has prompted some traders to suspend sales or stockpile goods to avoid losses.
He added that while the destruction of the Ardamata Bridge has heightened concerns over supplies, the main driver of the price surge remains the rapid decline in the value of the national currency. He noted that local warehouses still hold sufficient stocks to meet the city’s needs for several months.
Another trader, Ismail Ali, said prices of some commodities have risen by more than 50 percent. The price of a 50-kilogram bag of sugar increased from 155,000 Sudanese pounds to 255,000 pounds, while a 25-kilogram bag of flour rose from 100,000 to 150,000 pounds.
The price of a 36-pound container of cooking oil climbed from 95,000 pounds to 120,000 pounds, while a 25-kilogram sack of rice increased from 100,000 to 150,000 pounds. A carton of soap rose from 120,000 pounds to 150,000 pounds, and a carton of pasta increased from 50,000 to 70,000 pounds.
The inflationary pressures have also affected water prices. Residents reported that the cost of a barrel of water has increased in several neighborhoods, reaching as much as 8,000 pounds in some areas depending on their distance from supply sources, representing increases of between 1,000 and 2,000 pounds over previous rates.
Meat and grain prices have also climbed significantly. The price of a kilogram of beef increased from 14,000 to 16,000 pounds, while lamb rose from 20,000 to 22,000 pounds per kilogram. The price of a sack of millet jumped from 70,000 to 90,000 pounds, and a sack of onions increased from 45,000 to 60,000 pounds.
The price increases coincide with a rapid depreciation of the Sudanese pound. The exchange rate of the US dollar has surpassed 6,000 Sudanese pounds, compared with between 3,500 and 4,000 pounds during previous periods, while the Chadian franc has risen to nearly 40 Sudanese pounds.
Earlier this month, the Ardamata Bridge was struck by a drone attack, putting it out of service and halting traffic across the crossing. Maintenance work is ongoing to restore operations.
The bridge is one of West Darfur’s most important transport arteries, linking El Geneina with large parts of Darfur and Kordofan and serving as a key route for the movement of goods, food supplies, and humanitarian assistance.