White Nile State: Sudan Fuel Price Jumps to SDG38,805 Per Gallon

• The White Nile State Council approved a new petrol price of SDG38,805 per gallon in several localities, including Kosti, and recommended adding SDG20 to transport costs.
• This official increase coincides with severe fuel shortages and long queues returning to Khartoum and other Sudanese states, causing widespread scarcity of petrol and diesel.
• Households face immense pressure, with a mother of four reporting significant increases in food prices, such as cooking oil rising from SDG10,000 to SDG19,000.
• Residents in Khartoum allege some fuel stations are withholding supply, anticipating further price hikes of SDG5,000 to SDG6,000 per gallon.
• Citizens are often forced to wait up to 12 hours for fuel or pay inflated black-market prices due to recurring monthly shortages that can last over a week.

The approved Sudan White Nile State fuel price increases, coupled with the pervasive Sudan fuel shortage Khartoum, signal a deepening economic crisis with far-reaching implications.

Authorities in Sudan's White Nile State have formally approved a significant increase in fuel prices, reflecting a deepening crisis across the nation. The White Nile State Council for the Organisation and Development of Public Transport recently set the price for a gallon of petrol at SDG38,805 Sudanese pounds. This new rate applies to key localities including Kosti, Rabak, El Guteina, and Ed Duweim. Furthermore, the council advised an additional SDG20 per gallon to be incorporated into transport costs across numerous towns and areas within the state.

This official adjustment coincides with a resurgence of severe fuel shortages and extensive queues in Khartoum and several other Sudanese states. Petrol and diesel have become increasingly scarce, leading to the closure of numerous service stations. These developments are placing immense pressure on Sudanese households, which are already contending with rapidly escalating food prices and a depreciating national currency.

The economic ramifications of the fuel crisis are profoundly impacting daily life for ordinary citizens. Wa’ad Idris, a mother of four residing in White Nile State, illustrates the severe challenges faced by families. She reports that her mornings are now dominated by calculations of what her family can realistically afford, often necessitating difficult decisions about what necessities to forgo. Idris describes life as having become 'very difficult,' noting that despite the hardships of wartime, the current circumstances, exacerbated by a rising dollar, have led to a significant increase in the cost of all goods, rendering citizens unable to meet even their most basic daily needs.

Specific examples highlight the dramatic inflation: cooking oil, for instance, has surged from approximately SDG10,000 to SDG19,000, while a bottle of onions now costs SDG7,000, up from SDG2,000. A pound of milk for children is priced around SDG3,000. Her family has been compelled to reduce their meals from two per day to a single basic meal, with any second meal contingent on its availability and affordability. Often, this second 'meal' is merely a snack or tea in the evening, just to sustain them through the day. Even tea has become a luxury, with the family sometimes resorting to red tea without milk or skipping it entirely. A simple tomato salad prepared with dakwa (peanut butter) or oil can now exceed SDG7,000, and a kilogram of sugar has also reached approximately SDG7,000. Idris emphasizes the urgent need for a solution, stating the situation is 'unbearable' and families can no longer manage their needs.

Beyond White Nile State, Khartoum and other regions are grappling with a renewed and intense fuel crisis. Residents report that this latest scarcity began following widespread rumors of impending increases in both the customs dollar rate and fuel prices. This anticipation has reportedly led to many service stations ceasing sales, with petrol and diesel becoming acutely scarce across the capital. A Khartoum resident alleged that some station owners are deliberately withholding fuel in their tanks, awaiting the announcement of new, higher prices before selling their stored inventory at the inflated rates.

The expected price hike in Khartoum could see petrol and diesel costs rise by an additional SDG5,000 to SDG6,000 per gallon. Fuel shortages and the resultant long queues have become a near-monthly occurrence, with some crises persisting for over a week, occasionally up to nine days. This forces citizens to dedicate a substantial portion of their month to searching for fuel, navigating between various stations. The dire situation often leaves residents with a stark choice: endure waits of up to 12 hours in queues or purchase fuel from the black market at significantly higher prices.

The approved Sudan White Nile State fuel price increases, coupled with the pervasive Sudan fuel shortage Khartoum, signal a deepening economic crisis with far-reaching implications. The official adjustments in transport costs, alongside the unofficial market dynamics, are driving up the overall Sudan transport cost increase, impacting everything from daily commutes to the supply chain for essential goods. The specific petrol price of SDG38,805 in Kosti and other localities exemplifies the severe inflationary pressures.

This volatile environment creates significant operational challenges for businesses, particularly those reliant on logistics and transportation. The Sudan economic impact fuel crisis is not merely a matter of inconvenience but represents a fundamental threat to household stability and commercial viability, demanding urgent attention to mitigate widespread hardship and ensure basic needs can be met.

Businesses operating in Sudan, especially those with logistics or supply chain dependencies, face significant operational cost increases and potential disruptions due to the approved fuel price hikes and deepening shortages. Legal counsel should advise clients on assessing contractual obligations, force majeure clauses, and strategies to mitigate the financial and operational risks associated with these volatile market conditions.

Source: Original reporting via Radio Dabanga