Nyala, November 18 (Darfur24)
Traders in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, reported a noticeable decline in agricultural crop imports to the city’s markets at the start of the harvest season, citing weak productivity this year.
Trader Mutawakkil al-Sadiq told Darfur24 that crop arrivals this season are significantly lower compared to the same period last year. He added that some traders have resorted to collecting most crops directly from production areas since the harvest began last month.
He attributed the decline to a sharp reduction in cultivated areas due to high farming costs and unstable rainfall, which caused extensive losses across many agricultural zones.
Zubair Ramadan, a trader in Nyala’s crop market, confirmed the shortage, particularly of peanuts, noting that only limited quantities are currently available. He said some traders are pressing peanuts to produce cooking oil and transporting it to the Adikungu border area with Chad.
Ramadan noted that a bag of beans currently sells for 37,000, while a sack of newly harvested millet costs 130,000, sorghum 110,000, and cowpeas 220,000, adding that prices differ between production areas and the markets in Nyala.
He noted that prices vary between production areas and markets inside Nyala.
This autumn season saw irregular and fluctuating rainfall, causing significant damage to crops such as peanuts in several parts of South Darfur State.