Sudan: New FAO assessment warns of escalating food and livelihood crisis

Cairo/Khartoum, 26 April 2026: 

A recent report issued by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission (CFSAM) in Sudan revealed a sharp decline in cereal production due to the ongoing conflict, rising agricultural input costs, and disruptions to livelihoods and markets, further exacerbating food insecurity across the country. 

The report estimates Sudan’s 2025 cereal production at approximately 5.2 million tonnes, representing a 22 percent decline compared to last year and 19 percent below the five-year average. Sorghum production decreased by 25 percent compared to 2024, while millet production remained 46 percent below the five-year average. Wheat production is estimated at around 433 500 tonnes, 12 percent below last year’s level. 

At the same time, the assessment warns that 28.9 million people, approximately 61.7 percent of Sudan’s population, are facing acute food insecurity and are in urgent need of food and livelihood assistance. Among them, an estimated 10.2 million people are experiencing severe food insecurity, particularly in Greater Darfur and South Kordofan. 

“The findings of this assessment confirm the alarming scale of the food security crisis in Sudan and the urgent need to protect agricultural livelihoods,” said Hongjie Yang, FAO Representative in Sudan. “Providing farmers and pastoralists with timely agricultural assistance is critical to strengthening their resilience and helping address growing humanitarian needs” he stressed. 

The mission consisted of four core teams comprising members from the Food Security Technical Secretariat (FSTS), the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MoA&I), the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fishery (MoAR&F), the Economic Security Department (ES) and FAO 

The report indicates that the ongoing conflict has severely disrupted agricultural production, limited access to farmland, damaged irrigation infrastructure, and caused major shortages of agricultural inputs, including seeds, fertilizers, fuel, machinery, and veterinary supplies. These challenges have contributed to unprecedented increases in food prices, reduced purchasing power, and restricted vulnerable households’ access to markets. 

Despite these challenges, FAO-supported interventions helped mitigate some of the impacts on agricultural production. During the 2025 season, FAO distributed approximately 8 393 tonnes of certified seeds (mainly sorghum, millet, pigeon pea, cowpea, okra and vegetables) across most states in Sudan, supporting around 827 000 farming households. 

The report also notes that the livestock sector is facing increasing risks. Although no major outbreaks of animal diseases were reported, vaccination rates declined sharply due to the destruction and looting of veterinary infrastructure and the suspension of national vaccine production. The report warns that reduced vaccination coverage could increase the risk of future disease outbreaks and livestock mortality. 

The Mission calls for urgent and scaled-up support to restore agricultural production, protect livelihoods, and strengthen resilience. Key recommendations include expanding access to quality seeds and agricultural inputs, rehabilitating irrigation systems, restoring veterinary services, strengthening early warning systems, supporting livestock mobility and pasture management, and improving food security monitoring and data systems. 

The report stresses the importance of combining sustained humanitarian assistance with recovery and resilience interventions to prevent further deterioration of food security conditions and support Sudanese farmers and pastoralists in rebuilding their livelihoods.