Markets in the Sudanese capital on Wednesday came to a complete standstill amid an unprecedented decline in the value of the local currency. Many traders were forced to suspend sales, fearing that they would be unable to restock their goods due to successive surges in commodity prices.
The exchange rate of the US dollar against the Sudanese pound reached 8,800 Sudanese pounds per dollar during Wednesday’s trading, compared with 7,200–7,300 pounds at the beginning of the week.
Markets also witnessed sharp increases in the prices of several essential commodities. The price of a 50-kilogram bag of sugar exceeded 420,000 pounds, while a bag of flour reached 116,000 pounds.
The price of a 20-kilogram bag of lentils rose to 165,000 pounds, while a bag of “Kabsa” rice reached around 230,000 pounds. A bag of Egyptian beans was priced at 310,000 pounds.
