Overview
- Rains have been above-average in much of Sudan and there are prospects for a good harvest. Crop development has been progressing well, with few exceptions in the northern and eastern parts of the Kassala state due to major dry spells and in southern Blue Nile where areas have not been cultivated because of insecurity.
- In North Darfur better access to water and good pasture improved livestock conditions.
- Food prices remained high compared to last year due to poor cereal production in 2011 and insecurity problems in South Kordofan and Blue Nile that are sorghum-surplus areas.
- In August 2012, sorghum and millet prices went up in most markets from 55 to more than 200 per cent compared to the same period last year. Across all states the price of the minimum healthy food basket increased by more than 60 per cent in August from 12 months earlier.
- With the separation of South Sudan, losses in oil revenues led further devaluation of the national currency. Low levels of hard currencies and very high inflation rates (above 40 per cent) impacted the national economy.
- Overall food security conditions should improve in coming months as the harvest arrives. Staple cereal prices are expected to drop or to remain stable, improving households’ food access.
October 2012
Food Security