The Central Bank of Sudan revealed that Sudanese exports reached $2.53 billion in the first half of this year, which means an increase of 68 percent compared to the same period last year (2020), describing the increase as "insufficient" compared to the import bill, which amounted to $4.16 billion.
According to the data of the central bank, gold came at the top of the list of exports, as Sudan exported 16.7 tons, worth about one billion dollars, almost all of which went to the United Arab Emirates. Other major exports include peanuts, sesame, and cattle.
Sudan has recorded a huge trade deficit, ranging from four billion dollars to more than six billion dollars, since the secession of oil-producing South Sudan in 2011.
The shortage of foreign reserves has led to a shortage of vital medicines, queues at gas stations and bakeries, as well as power cuts in the past few years.
In the first half of the year, Sudan was able to import wheat worth $239 million, petroleum products worth $215 million, and medicine worth $236 million. Sudan is suffering from a deep economic crisis and the government is working to increase exports, especially agricultural, to lift the country and attract foreign aid and investment.
Source (CNBC Arabic website, Edited)
