Livestock Association: Increase in Rift Valley Fever Vaccine Fees
The Secretary of the Livestock Association, Khalid Mohamed Khair “Wafi”, revealed that the Ministry of Finance has announced a third increase in the price of the Rift Valley Fever vaccine, which rose from 3,500 to 5,500 Sudanese pounds per ml, and now stands at 7,000 pounds per ml. This means a full 100 ml dose costs approximately 700,000 pounds.
Wafi described the increase as excessive and unrealistic, stressing that the import cost of the vaccine does not exceed 50 cents per dose and 20 cents for transport.
He criticized the ongoing price hikes and the monopolization of vaccine imports by certain entities that cannot meet demand and operate without public tenders or competition, calling it a major corruption concern affecting livestock exports.
Wafi also pointed to the imposition of illegal fees and the control of the market by “paper brokers and middlemen mafias” who have driven legitimate exporters out of competition. He urged that vaccine imports be opened to public tenders and that the Veterinary Supply Authority be given oversight and monitoring powers for all imports of vaccines, reagents, and labeling materials.
He noted that since 2019, the livestock sector has suffered from widespread corruption, loss of export revenues, and negative practices, including smuggling of female sheep and camels, which has led to a decline in production and loss of tax, zakat, and foreign exchange revenues.
