Africa-Press. The ongoing war in Sudan has led to increasing disruptions in the production and export of gum arabic, a natural substance used in the manufacturing of thousands of food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic products worldwide, raising concerns about the stability of global supplies of this strategic commodity.
Sudan is the largest global producer of gum arabic, providing between 70% and 80% of the world’s supply, particularly of the “hashab” and “talha” varieties used in food and pharmaceutical industries. Production is primarily concentrated in the Kordofan and Darfur regions, which are among the areas most affected by the ongoing conflict since April 2023.
The armed conflict has disrupted harvesting, transportation, and export operations due to insecurity, road closures, and damage to infrastructure, as well as the displacement of large numbers of farmers and traders working in this sector.
Gum arabic is widely used as a natural stabilizer and emulsifier in soft drinks, juices, sweets, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, and it is also involved in printing, textiles, and adhesives, making it a crucial element in global supply chains despite limited consumer awareness.
According to experts in the sector, global companies have turned to increasing their inventories and seeking alternative sources in other African countries such as Chad, Nigeria, and Senegal in recent months, but these countries do not have the production capacity to fully compensate for Sudan’s share.
Although some export operations continue through intermediaries and alternative trade networks, the instability is placing increasing pressure on the global market, with fears of rising prices or supply shortages if the war continues for an extended period.
It is noted that the “gum arabic belt” extends across vast areas of Sudan, particularly in Kordofan and Darfur, and constitutes a primary source of income for hundreds of thousands of rural families. Sudan has been the world’s most important supplier of this natural substance for decades.
