Al-Daein, June 18 (Darfur24)
Markets in East Darfur State have witnessed a sharp increase in the prices of basic food commodities, further straining household budgets amid the ongoing economic and humanitarian crisis caused by Sudan’s war.
A field survey conducted by Darfur24 in Al-Daein, the capital of East Darfur State, found significant price increases across essential goods during the past week.
The price of a 50-kilogram sack of sugar rose to 280,000 Sudanese pounds from 220,000 pounds a week earlier. A 25-kilogram sack of flour increased to 125,000 pounds, up from about 80,000 pounds. Prices of cooking oil and fuel also climbed by more than 30 percent over the same period.
Mahmoud Suleiman, a trader in Al-Daein’s main market, told Darfur24 that the rapid increase in prices is largely driven by the continued depreciation of the Sudanese pound against foreign currencies, which has raised import costs and pushed up market prices.
He added that some traders have begun stockpiling goods ahead of the rainy season, when deteriorating road conditions often disrupt transport and reduce the flow of commodities into the state.
According to Suleiman, heavy trucks face increasing difficulty accessing East Darfur during the autumn months, forcing traders to rely on smaller vehicles that carry limited quantities at higher transport costs.
Another trader, who requested anonymity, said fees and levies imposed on goods entering through South Sudan have become a major factor behind rising prices.
He explained that charges at some border crossings range between 25 million and 30 million Sudanese pounds per shipment, costs that are ultimately passed on to consumers.
The trader warned that the growing financial burden is reducing the purchasing power of residents already struggling with the effects of conflict and economic instability.
Since the outbreak of war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in April 2023, Darfur and Kordofan have become increasingly dependent on trade routes through neighboring countries, particularly South Sudan, Chad, and Libya, to secure food supplies and essential commodities.