KHARTOUM: Sudan’s annual inflation rate eased to 41.4 percent in April from 47.9 percent in March as food price inflation fell, official data showed yesterday.
Prices have jumped since South Sudan seceded in 2011, taking three-quarters of Sudan’s oil output — the main source of budget revenues and dollars needed to pay for imports.
Annual inflation was 15 percent in June 2011, the last data before the secession.
Costs for food and drinks, which make up 52.9 percent of the index, rose by 36.9 percent in April year-on-year, compared to 46.4 percent in March, the central statistical bureau said in its monthly bulletin.
Costs for transport, telecommunications and health services fell between 1 and 2.3 percent year-on-year, the data showed.
Month-on-month inflation was 1 percent in April after rising to 2.6 percent in March.
Government critics say inflation is higher than the official figures.
Inflation is sensitive because discontent over food prices and cuts to fuel subsidies have led to small protests against President Omar Hassan al-Bashir.
Sudan’s economy should strengthen after it agreed with landlocked South Sudan in March to resume cross-border oil exports.
South Sudan had shut its oil output in a row with Khartoum over fees. Reuters
