Tawila, May 14 (Darfur24)
Prices of staple food grains have risen sharply in Tawila and eastern Jebel Marra in Darfur, amid worsening shortages, weak agricultural production, and growing fears of a deepening food crisis in the coming months.
Residents in Tawila told Darfur24 that the price of a sack of millet increased to 100,000 Sudanese pounds, up from 80,000 pounds two weeks ago. The price of corn also rose from 60,000 to 80,000 pounds, while sorghum doubled from 20,000 to 40,000 pounds per sack.
In the areas of Murtal and Khazan Tunjur in eastern Jebel Marra, the price of millet climbed to around 11,000 pounds from 6,000 pounds in recent weeks. Traders also reported shortages of rice, with the price of a “kora” reaching 10,000 pounds in some markets.
Local traders attributed the sharp increase to poor harvests and the suspension of farming activities across large parts of North Darfur during the last agricultural season because of insecurity and ongoing fighting.
Traders also warned that prices are likely to continue rising due to growing demand in overcrowded displacement sites in Tawila and Jebel Marra, as well as increased purchases by merchants and humanitarian organizations operating in the region.
The developments come as the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) warned of a further deterioration in food insecurity across Sudan during the upcoming dry season between June and September.
The UN-backed monitoring system said the hunger crisis is expected to worsen in large parts of Darfur, Kordofan and Blue Nile due to continued conflict, displacement, economic collapse and restrictions on humanitarian access.