In northern Sudan, the ongoing war has taken a heavy toll on the country’s date industry, adding to the list of casualties.
Dates hold significant importance for Sudan’s economy, as the nation ranks 7th globally in date production, yielding over 460,000 tonnes annually according to official sources.
The agricultural sector constitutes 40% of Sudan’s Gross Domestic Product and provides employment for 80% of the country’s labor force.
The war, responsible for 7,500 fatalities and the displacement of over 5 million people, has resulted in the “partial de industrialization” of the nation, devastating its agricultural landscape.
Throughout Sudan, small-scale farmers are now struggling to access financing, and buyers are unable to sell their produce in the markets.
Before the conflict erupted, most trade centered around Khartoum. However, the capital has been severely damaged during the months of fighting, rendering it unsuitable as a marketplace.
While farmers are seeking increased government support, the authorities are already grappling with the challenge of ensuring basic food security for Sudan’s 48 million inhabitants.
Moreover, Sudan’s primary sources of wheat have been disrupted due to the conflict in Ukraine.
The UN is issuing a warning, cautioning that nearly 6 million people in Sudan are teetering on the brink of famine.