Date prices, production fall in Sudan

Farmers in the Northern State of Sudan have complained of decreased production of dates after the establishment of Merowe Dam, and falling prices since the secession of South Sudan.

Farmers attribute the drop in production to less moisture in the soil following the establishment of the dam.

The also lament falling date prices in markets since exports to South Sudan stopped after the country’s secession. They say they struggle to compete with dates imported from the Gulf, and bemoan the lack of quality canning factories in the state.

In August this year, farmers could do nothing but watch as more than 1,000 fruit-laden date palms were devoured by fire at Artamoga in El Debba locality in the Northern State.