Trends and Challenges in Gum Arabic Markets in Key Producing Countries in Africa (Sudan, Chad, Nigeria, and Senegal)
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
3. Results
3.1. Trends of Exporting Gum Arabic (2010–2024)
- Prior to 2021, Sudan typically exported between 120,000 and 150,000 tonnes annually, with stable production before the civil war.
- 2021 witnessed a sharp drop to 88,000 tonnes, generating approximately $110 million in revenue.
- 2022–2023 production stabilized at around 60,000 tonnes due to severe conflict-related disruptions (insecurity, transport challenges, looting), while prices skyrocketed (Hashab gum up to ~$4000/tonne). Figure 1.
- 2024 shows a modest rebound to about 70,000 tonnes, tied to improved security interventions and maintaining export corridors [23].
3.2. Market Trends and Value Chain Optimization in Key African Producing Countries
3.3. Trends in Production in Sudan
- -
- Supply Concentration: Sudan remains the largest producer, benefiting from favorable agro-climatic conditions and the prevalence of acacia trees. In 2023, gum Arabic exports from Sudan were valued at USD 289.57 million. The price of gum arabic varied significantly. Raw gum was priced as low as $0.37/kg. In May, 2024, the Sudanese market recorded a price of $1.24/kg, which shows the variation in prices [17]
- -
- Value Chain Optimization: Over 94% of Sudanese GAPAs (Gum Arabic Producers Associations) aim for direct exports. However, training in sustainable tapping, drying, and storage is needed.
- -
- The value chain in Sudan has the following characteristics:
- Regarding farming and tapping, farmers tend to tap trees in October using traditional expertise, with 4–6 harvests at 3-week intervals.
- Local collection is sold at auction markets to merchants at government-backed floor prices.
- Cleaning/grading involves processing into the grades of amber sorts (premium), siftings, and dust.
- Exports are packed into 50/100 kg sacks and shipped via Port Sudan by the Gum Arabic Company (GAC).
3.4. Challenges and Opportunities of Production Gum in Key African Countries
- Climatic stress: Drought and desertification threaten acacia populations, especially in Sudan and Chad.
- Synthetic substitutes: Competing products, such as l xanthan gum and guar gum, threaten market share, especially in cost-sensitive applications.
- Quality variability: Inconsistent tapping and storage practices lead to fluctuating quality, hindering market trust.
- Traceable systems: Implementing blockchain for traceability can boost consumer trust and enable premium pricing.
- Bioeconomy integration: Gum arabic fits well within bio-circular economic strategies due to its biodegradable and multifunctional properties.
- Agroforestry development: Encouraging acacia tree cultivation through land restoration programs can support a sustainable supply.
3.5. Gum Arabic Value Chain Overview
- Best Practices at Harvest: Use clean tools, tap during the dry season, and collect at the correct maturity.
- Proper Drying: Avoid moisture, and dry in a shaded, ventilated area.
- Clean Sorting: Manually remove bark, insects, and dust.
- Grading and Storage: Store in breathable jute bags, off the ground, in a cool environment.
- Certification: Organic, ISO, GMP, and HACCP certifications can raise prices by 20–30% [22].
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
- ➢
- supporting producer cooperatives through training and institutional development;
- ➢
- expanding domestic processing facilities;
- ➢
- diversifying end uses into emerging sectors, such as nutraceuticals and 3D printing;
- ➢
- ensuring compliance with international quality, traceability, and sustainability standards.
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
- Ashour, M.A.; Fatima, W.; Imran, M.; Ghoneim, M.M.; Alshehri, S.; Shakeel, F. A Review on the Main Phytoconstituents, Traditional Uses, Inventions, and Patent Literature of Gum Arabic Emphasizing Acacia seyal. Molecules 2022, 27, 1171. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- FAO. Guide to Good Practices. 2008. Available online: https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/38b56761-c230-4ffb-83b5-d0a34c939a16/content (accessed on 17 July 2025).
- Gum Arabic Market Size, Share and Trends Report, 2030. Available online: https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/gum-arabic-market (accessed on 17 July 2025).
- Farbest Announces An Innovative Gum Acacia. Available online: https://farbest.com/farbest-announces-an-innovative-gum-acacia/ (accessed on 17 July 2025).
- FAO.org. Non-Wood Goods and Services: Sudan. Available online: https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/7f429c44-26c0-46f2-b4ae-0ab173676741/content (accessed on 17 July 2025).
- Penna, I. Understanding the FAO’s “Wood Supply from Planted Forests” Projections; Centre for Environmental Management, University of Ballarat: Ballarat, Australia, 2010. [Google Scholar]
- Suliman, M.M.; Abd alkareem, W. The Economics of Gum Arabic Production and Export in Sudan (2000–2019). Omdurman Islam. Univ. J. 2022, 18, 1–29. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Jebeso, G.; Gebeyehu, D.; Abere, M. Characteristics and quality of gum arabic derived from naturally grown Acacia seyal Willdenow tree in the lowland areas of Ethiopia. Food Chem. Adv. 2023, 2, 100243. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Mujawamariya, G.; Madi, O.P.; Zoubeirou, A.; Sene, A.; Maisharou, A.; D’Haese, M. Common challenges in gum arabic production and commercialization in West Africa: A comparative study of Cameroon, Niger and Senegal. Int. For. Rev. 2013, 15, 182–199. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Eltahir, M.E.S.; Eltahir, S.I.; Zaid, M.B.; Elamin, H.M.A.; Hamad, Z.M.; Abdelkareem, O.E.A.; Musa, F.I.; Safi, A.I.A.; Khalifa, A.S.O.; Hamad, A.E.; et al. Assessing the performance of a new gum Arabic harvesting tool through the insight of gum producers in the gum belt of Sudan. For. Sci. Technol. 2024, 20, 326–336. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Allandetrobert. Respecting the Most Recent Legislations, Exceeding our Customers’ Requirements, Meeting the Highest Quality Standards… Those Are the Goals We Reach Every Day to Provide Society with Safe, Healthy and Natural Products. Available online: https://www.allandetrobert.com/we-are-expert/certification-safety/ (accessed on 14 July 2025).
- Ndjuluwa, L.N.P.; Adebisi, J.A.; Dayoub, M. Internet of Things for Crop Farming: A Review of Technologies and Applications. Commodities 2023, 2, 367–381. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Market Research Future. Gum Arabic Market Research Report: Information by Type, Application, Function, and Region—Forecast till 2032. 2023. Available online: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/gum-arabic-market-2904 (accessed on 17 July 2025).
- Thompkins, G. Gum Arabic: Sudan’s Miracle Commodity. NPR—All Things Considered, 20 June 2007. [Google Scholar]
- Unctad.org. Commodities at a Glance: Special Issue on Gum Arabic. Available online: https://unctad.org/publication/commodities-glance-special-issue-gum-arabic (accessed on 14 July 2025).
- Comunian, T.A.; Archut, A.; Gomez-Mascaraque, L.G.; Brodkorb, A.; Drusch, S. The type of gum arabic affects interactions with soluble pea protein in complex coacervation. Carbohydr. Polym. 2022, 295, 119851. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Tsounis, N.; Vlachvei, A. (Eds.) Advances in Time Series Data Methods in Applied Economic Research; Springer International Publishing: Cham, Switzerland, 2018. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kusters, C.S.L.; Mahmoud, T.E.; Boerema, E.; Chapman, C.; Mohammed, M.H.; Abdalla, I.A.E. FNS-REPRO Sudan-Key Findings from Literature Review, Rapid Gum Arabic Value Chain Assessment and Stories of Change: Report on Key Findings That Emerged From a Literature Review on the Gum Arabic Value Chain in Sudan, a Rapid Gum Arabic Value Chain Assessment and Stories of Change in Selected FNS-REPRO Supported Communities; Report WCDI-23-244; Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation, Wageningen University & Research: Wageningen, The Netherlands, 2023. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Adaptation Fund Board Project. Proposal For Chad, Sudan; Document Code: AFB/PPRC.29/28. Adaptation Fund Board Secretariat. 2022. Available online: https://www.adaptation-fund.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/AFB.PPRC_.29.28_Proposal-for-Chad-and-Sudan-1.pdf (accessed on 14 July 2025).
- Djetoyom, D.; Gang, T.; Ngueilbaye, A.; Lubari, J.Y.R. Assessing Potential and Impact Factors Driving Chadian Gum Arabic International Trade Based on the Augmented Gravity Model. Sustainability 2024, 16, 10215. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Williams, P.A.; Phillips, G.O. Gum Arabic. In Handbook of Hydrocolloids; Elsevier: Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2021; pp. 627–652. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Dayoub, M.; Helminen, J.; Myllynpää, V.; Pope, N.; Apiola, M.; Westerlund, T.; Sutinen, E. Prospects for Climate Services for Sustainable Agriculture in Tanzania. In Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics; Springer: Berlin/Heidelberg, Germany, 2018; pp. 523–532. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Tridge. Arabic Gum Global Wholesale MARKET Price Today, Arabic Gum HS Code: 130120. Available online: https://www.tridge.com/intelligences/arabic-gum/price (accessed on 14 July 2025).
- Awad, S.S. Acacia seyal Gums in Sudan: A Review. Available online: https://www.academia.edu/37167550/Acacia_Seyal_Gums_in_Sudan_A_review (accessed on 14 July 2025).
- Eltahir, M.E.S.; Musa, F.I.; Mohammed, E.M.I.; Mohamed, A.A.A. Situation analysis of gum Arabic producers associations (GAPAs) under IAMDP, Sudan. Soc. Sci. Humanit. Open 2025, 11, 101350. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Musa, F.I.; Sahoo, U.K.; Eltahir, M.E.; Magid, T.D.; Adlan, O.E.; Abdelrhman, H.A.; Abdelkarim, A.A. Contribution of non-wood forest products for household income in rural area of Sudan—A review. J. Agric. Food Res. 2023, 14, 100801. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Tadese, S. Production and Challenges of Gum Arabic in Ethiopia: Review. Available online: https://www.iiste.org/Journals/index.php/JNSR/article/view/45721/47205 (accessed on 14 July 2025).
- De Leeuw, J.; Carsan, S.; Koech, G.; Yayé, A.D.; Nyongesa, J. A Review of Best Practices for Selected Biodiversity-Based Value Chains. 2017. Available online: https://www.worldagroforestry.org/sites/default/files/Publications/PDFS/B17959.pdf#page=40 (accessed on 14 July 2025).
- Wits.worldbank.org. Trade Statistics by Product (HS 6-Digit). Available online: https://wits.worldbank.org/trade/country-byhs6product.aspx?lang=en (accessed on 14 July 2025).
- FAO. OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2019–2028. Available online: https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/2019/07/oecd-fao-agricultural-outlook-2019-2028_g1g9f52f.html (accessed on 14 July 2025).
- Kassa, H.; Tefera, B.; Fitwi, G. Preliminary Value Chain Analysis of Gum and Resin Marketing in Ethiopia; Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR): Bogor, Indonesia, 2011. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- UNEP.org. Value Chains, Including Eco-Innovation and Circular Economy. Available online: https://www.unep.org/explore-topics/resource-efficiency/what-we-do/responsible-industry/value-chains-including-eco (accessed on 15 July 2025).
- Clara. Acacia Gum Supplier and Manufacturer-Nexira. Available online: https://www.nexira.com/leading-global-supplier-and-manufacturer-of-acacia-gum/ (accessed on 14 July 2025).
- Foodbev. Alland & Robert Obtains First-Ever Fair-Trade Certification for Acacia Gum|FoodBev Media. Available online: https://www.foodbev.com/news/alland-robert-obtains-first-ever-fair-trade-certification-for-acacia-gum (accessed on 13 July 2025).
- Raheem, D.; Dayoub, M.; Birech, R.; Nakiyemba, A. The Contribution of Cereal Grains to Food Security and Sustainability in Africa: Potential Application of UAV in Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, and Namibia. Urban Sci. 2021, 5, 8. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Jakubavičius, A.; Burinskienė, A. Non-alcoholic drinks supply chains: Case of Nestle and Coca-Cola and their contribution analysis during COVID-19 period. In New Trends in Contemporary Economics, Business and Management. Selected Proceedings of the 14th International Scientific Conference “Business and Management 2024”; Vilnius Gediminas Technical University: Vilnius, Lithuania, 2024. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
Country | $ In Dollar | In kg | Price $ in kg |
---|---|---|---|
European Union (2023) | 139,627,000 | 67,009,000 | 2.8 |
France (2023) | 97,301,000 | 52,377,000 | 1.86 |
United States (2023) | 72,689,000 | 20,994,000 | 3.46 |
Germany (2023) | 38,199,000 | 11,430,000 | 3.34 |
China (2023) | 21,376,000 | 5,209,000 | 4.10 |
European Union (2022) | 132,284,040 | 83,402,100 | 1.59 |
United States (2022) | 105,898,120 | 31,127,000 | 3.40 |
France (2022) | 104,486,990 | 73,578,700 | 1.42 |
India (2022) | 28,469,360 | 32,778,200 | 0.87 |
Germany (2022) | 26,704,760 | 10,245,600 | 2.61 |
Country | $ In Dollar | In kg | Price $ in kg |
---|---|---|---|
France (2023) | 205,942,250 | 44,486,000 | 4.63 |
European Union (2023) | 158,975,510 | * | * |
Germany (2023) | 20,314,820 | 4,134,840 | 4.91 |
United States (2023) | 14,409,750 | 2,702,630 | 5.33 |
Italy (2023) | 8,744,870 | 3,339,020 | 2.62 |
France (2022) | 80,810,630 | 51,101,600 | 1.58 |
European Union (2022) | 40,215,910 | 37,910,800 | 1.06 |
Senegal (2022) | 20,060,100 | 3,909,600 | 5.13 |
Germany (2022) | 17,860,000 | 4,758,590 | 3.75 |
United States (2022) | 12,111,930 | 2,376,220 | 5.10 |
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. |
© 2025 by the author. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Share and Cite
Dayoub, M. Trends and Challenges in Gum Arabic Markets in Key Producing Countries in Africa (Sudan, Chad, Nigeria, and Senegal). Commodities 2025, 4, 16. https://doi.org/10.3390/commodities4030016
Dayoub M. Trends and Challenges in Gum Arabic Markets in Key Producing Countries in Africa (Sudan, Chad, Nigeria, and Senegal). Commodities. 2025; 4(3):16. https://doi.org/10.3390/commodities4030016
Chicago/Turabian StyleDayoub, Moammar. 2025. "Trends and Challenges in Gum Arabic Markets in Key Producing Countries in Africa (Sudan, Chad, Nigeria, and Senegal)" Commodities 4, no. 3: 16. https://doi.org/10.3390/commodities4030016
APA StyleDayoub, M. (2025). Trends and Challenges in Gum Arabic Markets in Key Producing Countries in Africa (Sudan, Chad, Nigeria, and Senegal). Commodities, 4(3), 16. https://doi.org/10.3390/commodities4030016