Sudan agriculture may fall 40% as Iran war spikes fuel, fertilizer prices

Farmers across Sudan say that soaring global fuel and fertilizer costs tied to the Iran conflict are forcing them to cut planting, threatening a drop of at least 40% in staple and export crop production. Fertiliser prices have risen about 67% while diesel for irrigation has more than doubled, leaving many farmers unable to cover costs, with only a fraction of intended hectares cultivated.

The price shock compounds an existing humanitarian crisis: more than 19.5 million people—over 40% of the population—are already facing acute hunger amid the country’s civil war. Sudan relies on Gulf imports for over half its fertiliser needs and on fuel imports for irrigation, making its agriculture highly vulnerable to global supply disruptions.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization warns that the combined effect of the Iran‑related price surge and ongoing internal conflict could push overall agricultural output down by “not less than 40%,” worsening the nation’s looming food insecurity.