Sudan’s Monopoly on Gum Arabic
Sudan produces about 80/percent of the world’s gum arabic, a natural resin harvested from acacia trees. It is widely used as a stabilizer and thickener in food, beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Before the war, the gum was transported through Khartoum and shipped via Port Sudan. However, since April 2023, when fighting erupted between the RSF and Sudan’s national army, the RSF has taken control of major production areas in Kordofan and Darfur.
Traders report that gum arabic can now only be marketed by Sudanese suppliers who pay fees to the RSF. Some of it is exported through informal border markets in neighboring countries like Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan. Without proper certification, the gum is being sold at lower prices to international buyers, raising concerns about its origins.
Illicit Trade Routes Expand
The smuggling has reshaped supply routes. While Sudanese gum was previously sorted and exported through the Red Sea, much of it now moves through Chad, Central African Republic, and South Sudan. Some traders have reported seeing Sudanese gum arabic being sold at informal border markets, often without proper documentation.
One buyer recounted that traders in Senegal and Chad offered him Sudanese gum at $3,500 per ton—far below the usual $5,000 per ton for high-quality hashab gum. The sellers could not provide Sedex certification, which guarantees ethical sourcing. Fearing that the gum had been illegally obtained, he refused to purchase it.
Several traders have also reported seeing Sudanese gum listed for sale online. One Sudanese processor, now a refugee in the UK, claimed that RSF fighters looted his warehouses in Khartoum in 2023. A year later, his branded gum appeared for sale in Facebook groups.
Western Companies Struggle to Ensure Ethical Sourcing
Global consumer goods companies such as Nestlé, Coca-Cola, and Mars rely on gum arabic for their products. While some firms have taken steps to diversify their supply chains, industry experts warn that smuggled gum may still reach major manufacturers.
Ingredion, a key supplier, stated that it ensures all supply chain transactions are legitimate and has expanded sourcing to Cameroon. Nexira, another major supplier, said it has cut imports from Sudan and now sources gum from ten different countries. However, industry specialists acknowledge that identifying smuggled gum remains difficult.
The Association for International Promotion of Gums (AIPG) stated in January that it had found no evidence linking gum arabic sales to Sudan’s warring factions. However, industry sources insist that smuggling networks linked to the RSF are funneling large amounts of gum onto the global market.