KHARTOUM – Food prices across Sudan rose at an unprecedented pace in September, surpassing levels recorded during earlier periods of widespread conflict, as currency depreciation, supply disruptions and weak agricultural production pushed basic commodities sharply higher, the World Food Programme (WFP) said.

The national average price of sorghum, a staple food for millions of Sudanese, rose 48% in a single month to 3,648 Sudanese pounds per kilogram and was 176% higher than in September 2025.

Wheat flour reached an average of 5,833 pounds per kilogram, up 16% from August and 96% year-on-year.

The cost of WFP’s Local Food Basket rose to 4,758 pounds per unit, a 24% monthly increase and 127% higher than a year earlier.

WFP said some monitored food items increased by more than 50% during September, describing the pace of price increases as exceeding levels seen even during years of widespread conflict.

The agency attributed the surge to the continued depreciation of the Sudanese pound, fuel shortages, delayed green harvests caused by late and below-average rainfall, deteriorating production prospects in rain-fed areas and persistent war-related disruption to markets and trade routes.

Sudan’s currency also weakened sharply during the month.

The parallel-market exchange rate averaged about 7,500 Sudanese pounds to the U.S. dollar in September, compared with 6,150 in August, representing a 22% monthly depreciation.

Commercial banks recorded an average rate of 6,500 pounds to the dollar, an 18% deterioration from the previous month.

The weakening currency has increased import costs and added further pressure to food and fuel prices at a time when the war has already severely damaged household incomes and disrupted economic activity.

Although staple foods remained available in most markets monitored by WFP, supply levels were generally below normal because of weak production during the previous agricultural season, disruptions to domestic trade and difficulties affecting cross-border supply chains.

Traders have increasingly relied on alternative supply routes, but insecurity, rising transport costs and disruptions to trade networks continue to restrict commodity movements.

Purchasing power has also failed to keep pace with food inflation.

The national average daily wage for casual labour rose 19% in September to 20,453 Sudanese pounds, but food prices increased at a considerably faster rate for several major staples.

WFP warned that declining purchasing power was particularly affecting displaced and conflict-affected households, increasing the risk that families would be unable to afford sufficient food even where commodities remained available in markets.

Regional differences were also substantial.

West Kordofan recorded the country’s highest average sorghum price at 6,083 pounds per kilogram, a 440% increase compared with September 2025.

In Red Sea State, sorghum prices climbed 87% in a single month and were 280% higher than a year earlier, while the cost of the WFP food basket rose 44% from August.

Northern State recorded a 55% monthly increase in wheat flour prices and a 44% rise in the food basket, while Blue Nile recorded a 75% increase in sorghum prices and a 40% rise in the basket.

At the Gadarif Auction Market, one of Sudan’s main indicators for cereal supply, sorghum deliveries between October 2025 and September 2026 were 7.3% below the previous marketing year and 16% below the five-year average.

September deliveries alone fell 32% from August and were 39% lower than a year earlier.

WFP said reduced stocks, weak production prospects, insecurity and high transportation costs were tightening cereal availability and driving further inflation.

The agency warned that food insecurity risks were likely to persist as prices continue to outpace incomes, calling for sustained humanitarian assistance and targeted support to protect livelihoods and household access to food.