In one of the popular markets in Omdurman, the familiar sounds of vendors and crowded shoppers are no longer the dominant scene Sudanese people once knew. Instead, a heavy silence and daily questions about ever-changing prices have taken over in a country exhausted by war and now increasingly burdened by the repercussions of regional tensions on citizens’ livelihoods.
From a local market in Karari, northern Omdurman, Al Jazeera’s correspondent painted a grim picture of a rapidly deteriorating economic reality, as fuel prices in Sudan have surged since the outbreak of the American-Israeli confrontation with Iran, directly impacting the prices of essential goods and market activity.
Massive Price Hikes
Inside the market, which appeared less crowded than usual, a consumer goods trader spoke of what he described as “massive” increases, confirming that most commodities had doubled in price within a short period.
He said that a sack of rice, previously sold for around 35,000 Sudanese pounds, now costs between 65,000 and 70,000 pounds, while onion prices rose from about 45,000 to nearly 95,000 pounds. Cooking oil, flour, and legumes have also climbed to unprecedented levels.
The trader explained that stagnation has become the defining feature of the markets, noting that customers are left shocked daily by the rapid changes in prices. He added that some goods have started disappearing from the markets or becoming scarce, including certain types of milk and cooking oils whose prices sharply increased within just a few days.
“Hardship Beyond Imagination”
The crisis is not only affecting traders. Citizens appear more anxious than ever as their purchasing power erodes while monthly incomes remain unchanged.
One resident described the situation as “hardship beyond imagination,” explaining that amounts of money that once sustained a small family for several days now barely last a few hours amid rising prices of fuel, bread, gas, and transportation.
The citizen, who works in car trading, said gasoline prices have continued to rise steadily, pushing some people to consider electric motorcycles as a cheaper alternative, while even basic necessities such as bread, gas, and meat have become burdens beyond the reach of many families.
Meat Market
In the meat market, the impact appeared even harsher. A meat seller said the price of lamb had reached between 45,000 and 48,000 pounds per kilogram, while beef was selling for around 30,000 pounds.
He pointed out that people have started buying “quarter and half portions” after purchasing by the kilogram had once been the norm.
The trader added that commercial activity has declined sharply, and many customers can no longer afford their daily needs, forcing some vendors to adopt new selling methods suited to citizens’ collapsing purchasing power.
Severe Impact
Daily wage workers appear to be among the hardest hit by the escalating wave of inflation. A rickshaw driver spoke about the difficulty of covering the cost of fuel and lubricants needed for work, saying that his earnings barely cover basic expenses, while supporting his family and paying for his children’s schooling have become overwhelming burdens amid the relentless rise in prices.
Despite the harsh realities imposed by war and economic crisis, some simple phrases continue to capture the spirit of Sudanese resilience. An elderly woman selling goods in the market quietly repeated, “We endure with patience,” a phrase that seemed to summarize the reality of a people confronting rising prices, declining services, and an uncertain future with patience alone.
As fuel prices continue to rise and economic pressures intensify, many Sudanese fear that the current wave of inflation may only be the beginning of a deeper crisis, especially as regional tensions continue casting heavy shadows over a country already experiencing one of the world’s most complex economic and humanitarian crises.
