Sudanese Gum Arabic: The Impact of War and the Challenges of Value Addition

Sudanese Gum Arabic: The Impact of War and the Challenges of Value Addition

By: Omer Sidahmed

Gum Arabic: A Strategic and Economic Resource in Sudan

Gum Arabic is one of Sudan’s most significant natural resources and a major contributor to both the national economy and international trade. Sudan holds a leading global position in the production of this strategic botanical commodity, accounting for 70–80% of the world’s supply. It is primarily derived from two types of acacia trees: Acacia senegal (Hashab) and Acacia seyal (Talh), which thrive in the low-rainfall savannah belt that spans Kordofan, Darfur, Gedaref, and parts of the Blue Nile and Sennar states.

The gum Arabic industry directly or indirectly supports over five million households, serving as a vital lifeline for rural communities, especially in impoverished and fragile areas. This sector encompasses the entire value chain—from harvesting to export.

Before the war, Sudan’s annual gum Arabic production ranged between 60,000 and 80,000 metric tons, with more than 90% exported globally. This made Sudan the world’s largest supplier. The raw market value ranged from $120 to $180 million annually, but this figure could rise significantly if the gum were processed into final industrial products.

These products include food emulsifiers, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, and their global market value could exceed $600 million annually—highlighting the vast untapped economic potential of this vital sector.

Economic and Social Importance of Gum Arabic

Gum Arabic’s international importance lies in its unique chemical and physical properties, which make it an essential binding and stabilizing agent in a wide array of industries. It is used in soft drinks, confectionery, emulsions, pharmaceutical products, cosmetics, textiles, printing, and other advanced industrial applications.
Used in over 1,000 commercial products worldwide, gum Arabic enjoys steady and increasing global demand. Locally, the sector significantly contributes to foreign currency reserves and income stability for farmers and rural communities, underscoring its strategic economic and social value for Sudan.

The Sector Before the War: Missed Opportunities

Before the conflict, gum Arabic was Sudan’s third-largest foreign currency earner after gold and oilseeds. According to Sudan’s Ministry of Trade, exports generated between $110 and $150 million annually and provided both seasonal and permanent employment for small producers, contributing to social stability in rural areas.

Efforts were made to develop the sector through improved tree varieties, incentives to prevent deforestation, and local manufacturing initiatives. However, these efforts remained limited due to poor infrastructure and a lack of strategic vision for maximizing economic returns.

Challenges to Value Addition in the Gum Arabic Sector

Despite its economic significance, Sudan faces real obstacles in achieving value addition for gum Arabic. Prior to the war, the raw production value ranged from $120 to $180 million annually, but if processed into final products, the potential market value could range from $600 to $800 million—exposing a massive revenue gap.

A key barrier is the high cost of domestic taxes and fees, which can reach 825,000 Sudanese pounds per ton. In contrast, neighboring countries like Chad and Niger charge as little as $1 per ton. This disparity discourages formal exports and pushes many exporters toward smuggling, costing the government hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

For example, exporting 60,000 tons of raw gum at an average price of $3,000 per ton yields $180 million. If the same amount were processed into final goods selling at $10,000 per ton, revenues would reach $600 million—a direct annual loss of $420 million due to the absence of value-added industries.

On the international market, raw gum sells for $2,500 to $3,800 per ton, depending on quality. After processing, its value increases to $8,000–$12,000 per ton—four times higher. This places Sudan in a dire economic situation, losing at least $400 to $600 million annually by exporting raw gum instead of processing it locally.

Applications of Gum Arabic and Strategic Opportunities

Processed gum Arabic is used across many industries, particularly:

– Soft drinks, as a stabilizing agent

– Pharmaceuticals, as a binder

– Cosmetics, as a moisturizer

– Food products, as a thickener and texture enhancer

Major companies such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Nestlé, and Unilever are among the top importers, reinforcing Sudan’s strategic position in global supply chains—if this potential is effectively harnessed.

However, this strategic position is threatened by:

– Declining international trust in Sudanese production and export systems

– Lack of global quality and certification standards

– Inadequate industrial infrastructure

– Ongoing economic recession

– Widespread smuggling

Additionally, domestic prices for gum have fallen below 15,000 Sudanese pounds per quintal, discouraging producers and leading to declining productivity—a warning sign of further deterioration without urgent reform.

The War’s Impact on the Gum Arabic Sector

The war that erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has devastated Sudan’s gum Arabic sector. Conflict expanded into key production areas such as Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan, which are critical to gum Arabic harvesting. Violence and insecurity displaced hundreds of thousands and damaged gum farms, transport routes, and storage infrastructure.

Under these conditions, gum harvesting has become extremely dangerous. Violence, looting, and militia extortion forced many producers to halt activities or resort to cross-border smuggling as a survival strategy.

According to FAO and WFP, production during the 2023/2024 season dropped to under 40,000 tons—down from a pre-war average of 80,000–100,000 tons. Over 40% of production is now smuggled into countries like Chad, South Sudan, and Senegal, where it is re-exported under other national brands. This not only deprives Sudan of revenue but also damages its reputation and reduces access to foreign currency.

Moreover, reports indicate that militias are exploiting gum revenues by taxing local producers or seizing control of transportation and marketing networks. Supply chains have collapsed, and both domestic and international companies have exited the market, causing official export levels to plummet.

Impact on Rural Communities

The crisis has had a direct and devastating impact on millions of Sudanese rural families who depend on gum Arabic as their primary or sole source of income. As production and legal export opportunities dwindle, producers face reduced economic returns and limited livelihood alternatives.

Without effective government support in financing, training, or infrastructure, most producers rely on traditional, low-yield practices, increasing sectoral fragility and undermining its resilience to economic and security shocks.

These conditions exacerbate rural poverty and marginalization, driving migration and increased involvement in informal and unsafe activities such as smuggling.

Solutions and Future Prospects

Addressing the challenges facing the gum Arabic sector requires a comprehensive approach starting with an end to the war and reconstruction of the value chain. Priorities include:

– Immediate ceasefire and durable peace

– Ensuring security in production zones and supporting the return of displaced persons

– Investing in local manufacturing and value-added industries

– Combating smuggling and improving oversight

– Empowering producers and supporting rural communities

Analytical Conclusion

The war has revealed deep structural deficiencies within the gum Arabic sector and exposed the fragility of its institutional and technical management systems. Sudan must move beyond raw exports and develop value-added industries to create jobs, increase revenues, and strengthen its global competitiveness.

This crisis is a crucial test of Sudan’s ability to manage its vital resources for sustainable development. Gum Arabic remains one of Sudan’s most important strategic assets—not only for its economic and industrial value but also for its potential to rebuild rural communities and support national recovery.

Failure to add value to gum Arabic represents a major missed opportunity. Transforming this sector is not optional; it is a national, economic, and environmental imperative. Restoring Sudan’s leadership as a trusted gum Arabic supplier requires ending the war, achieving lasting peace, initiating deep economic reforms, and establishing inclusive, sustainable development.

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