Thousands of miles from the conflict in Iran, Sudanese farmers are struggling as rising fuel and fertilizer costs threaten food production in the country. In Khartoum's Al-Jereif West farming district, growers report that soaring diesel and fertilizer prices have made farming increasingly difficult.

Many attribute these price hikes to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route through which more than half of Sudan's imported fertilizer arrives from the Gulf. In remote agricultural regions such as Kordofan, White Nile, Darfur, and Blue Nile, poor transport infrastructure worsens the crisis by driving up costs and limiting access to essential supplies.

Agricultural experts warn that continued shortages could lead to severe food deficits, with reduced harvests of staple crops including maize, wheat, and legumes. The consequences could be catastrophic for millions already struggling to survive.

This economic shock comes as Sudan enters its fourth year of civil war. According to the UN World Food Programme, 19 million people in Sudan are facing acute hunger, with many families on the brink of famine. Famine has already been declared in parts of Darfur and Kordofan, raising fears that the crisis may deepen further.

Farmers were seen harvesting crops in a field in Omdurman, on the outskirts of Khartoum, on Sunday, April 26, 2026 (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue).

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