Prices of Goods and Services in Sudanese Markets Continuously Soar
(AWP) - The markets in war-torn Sudan have been witnessing continuous price hikes on all consumer commodities and public services, especially transportation, exacerbating pressures on the citizens and negatively affecting local trade, as the fighting between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) enters its second year.
Traders attribute the situation to the scarcity of commodities as stocks were depleted and importation slumped due to volatility in the U.S. dollar exchange rates on the black market, with no sign of an imminent end to the war that has led to deteriorating living standards.
Prices of basic goods such as sugar, flour, tea, milk and cooking oils have risen in many Sudanese provinces while in other provinces these items have completely vanished.
University student Ijlal Saleh, said, “The prices of any commodities such as bread or any consumer goods in general, or even transportation, are constantly soaring due to unstable conditions in Sudan. Also, the dollar exchange rate on the black market is increasing and is different from the rate at banks, which caused a huge gap for traders.”
New increases in fuel prices became effective last week, and have led to increased costs of transporting goods, consequently raising the prices of most consumer products and public transportation.
Wael Moussa, a member of the Technical Chamber for Sudanese Importers, said that even before last week’s increases, there was already a recession in the markets as a result of soaring costs.
He added, “Now, after these latest increases, most suppliers have stopped selling because the dollar exchange rate is the key factor in the costs of imported goods.”