Sudan Food Security Outlook January to June 2013
Despite surplus cereal production, food insecurity persists in many areas
As of January 2013, about 3.5 million people in Sudan face Stressed and Crisis (IPC Phase 2 and 3) levels of food insecurity, with 80 percent of the food insecure population in conflict-affected areas of Darfur, South Kordofan, Blue Nile, and Abyei. Last year at the same time, about 4.5 million people were estimated to be food insecure.
The decrease in the food insecure population is mostly attributed to the good harvest this year. Total area planted during the 2012/13 season is more than double last year’s figure, and yields are expected to be significantly higher than last year due to favorable rainfall and decreased pest infestations. A surplus of 1.41 million metric tons (MT) of sorghum and millet is expected. However, high production costs (due to the shortage and high cost of labor) have discouraged some farmers from harvesting, which could increase post-harvest losses.
With abundant supply and household consumption of own stocks, consumer prices of sorghum and millet are declining but remain 41 percent higher than last year and 123 percent higher than the five-year average. Inflation and increased production costs are keeping prices high.
In spite of the surplus national cereal production, Stressed and Crisis levels of food insecurity persist in South Kordofan, Blue Nile, Darfur, and Abyei due to the impacts of conflict on production, market access, and livelihood options. Crisis levels are expected to persist at least through June in SPLM-N-controlled areas of South Kordofan and Blue Nile, and conflict-affected areas of Darfur (Jebel Mara and Serief Beni Hissein areas).