Previous Article in Journal
Agricultural Futures Contracts as Part of a Sustainable Investment Strategy: Issues and Opportunities
Previous Article in Special Issue
EUDR Compliance in Ghana’s Natural Rubber Sector and Its Implications for Smallholders
 
 
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Trends and Challenges in Gum Arabic Markets in Key Producing Countries in Africa (Sudan, Chad, Nigeria, and Senegal)

1
Faculty of Technology, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland
2
The Finnish Southern Africa Cooperation Institute (FSAI), Windhoek 10012, Namibia
Commodities 2025, 4(3), 16; https://doi.org/10.3390/commodities4030016
Submission received: 17 July 2025 / Revised: 7 August 2025 / Accepted: 14 August 2025 / Published: 21 August 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Trends and Changes in Agricultural Commodities Markets)

Abstract

Gum arabic production is a key source of income for communities in several African countries. Despite this, producing nations capture only a small share of the market value due to weak domestic markets, low price incentives, and limited value-added. Meanwhile, global demand is expected to grow from USD 1.1 billion in 2025 to USD 2.2 billion by 2035, driven by rising consumption in food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and textiles. Importing countries, such as France and the US, benefit from significantly higher export prices—French export prices rose from USD 1.58/kg to USD 4.63/kg—highlighting the value added from outside producer regions. This study uses a qualitative analytical approach to examine trends and challenges in enhancing value capture within producer countries. Key strategies include local value-added, collective action, compliance with international standards, market transparency, and direct trade linkages. Findings suggest that implementing these measures could raise farmgate prices by 30–50%, retain more value within African economies, and improve access to premium export markets. In conclusion, targeted interventions are crucial for strengthening the gum arabic supply chain and promoting sustainable and equitable collection practices in producer countries.

1. Introduction

Gum arabic, also known as gum acacia, is a natural product composed of hardened sap primarily harvested from two tree species: Senegalia senegal (formerly Acacia senegal) and Vachellia seyal (formerly Acacia seyal). These trees are native to the Sahelian belt of Africa, though acacia species are widespread across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Gum is exuded following incisions in the bark and hardens into nodules upon exposure to air, which are then collected for processing.
The bark of A. seyal can be easily recognized, as A. seyal var. seyal has thin red-brown bark, while the bark of A. seyal var. fistula is smooth and whitish. Both varieties have long, slender, and white thorns that occur in pairs; the thorns of A. seyal var. fistula are sometimes swollen at the base by ant galls [1].
The primary commercial use of gum arabic is as a stabilizer and emulsifier in the food and beverage industry, especially in sweet food products. However, its applications have expanded into pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and textiles—driven largely by European market demand for clean-label, natural, and socially responsible ingredients. This shift has created substantial opportunities for African producers [2].
Its end-use applications include beverages, which represent 31.5% of the global market due to clean-label trends. Pharmaceutical uses, such as capsule coating and gut health prebiotics, are growing. Gum innovation, including products such as instant gum powders and hybrid blends (e.g., Farbest Brands’ “Beyond Acacia”) is gaining traction. In terms of sustainability and certification, fair trade and organic certifications have become essential in Western markets, ensuring ethical sourcing and environmental compliance [3,4].
Senegalia senegal is highly valued for its superior quality gum. Beyond gum, it is also useful for firewood, charcoal, tools, traditional medicine, and soil enrichment through nitrogen fixation. It is commonly cultivated in agroforestry systems—known as “gum gardens”—particularly in Sudan. Vachellia seyal, while producing slightly lower-grade gum, also provides significant ecological and economic benefits, including fuelwood, tannins, and traditional medicinal uses.
Despite the versatile utility of these species, they are primarily cultivated for gum production. Sudan, Chad, Nigeria, and Senegal collectively supply over 90% of global gum arabic. However, most of the gum is exported in raw form with limited local processing, thus reducing economic returns to producing countries.
Economic analyses consistently identify Sudan as the top global exporter, contributing 80–90% of the supply, particularly from Senegalia senegal. Its cultivation plays a role in desertification control and soil health. Chad and Senegal are also strengthening their participation in export markets. Chad focuses on meeting European quality demands, while Senegal faces structural challenges, such as interlocked credit-input systems, that limit farmer profits and reduce competitiveness.
According to the FAO [5], Africa’s dominance in gum arabic supply is contrasted by a lack of domestic value-added. Most of the economic gains are captured by importing countries, such as the European Union, the United States, and India, which also demand certified, traceable, and sustainably sourced products.
In Sudan, gum arabic is an economic and ecological backbone. It contributes 12% to Sudan’s GDP. Grown in the “gum belt” (300–600 mm rainfall zone) via sustainable agroforestry, Hashab trees (Acacia senegal) are intercropped with crops during fallow periods. It provides multi-use benefits, including gum, fuelwood, fodder, and soil conservation. Annual production reaches 20,000–40,000 tonnes (global leader) [6,7].
Scholarly research underscores several structural challenges and market opportunities, including the need for value chain integration, processing infrastructure, cooperative organization, and compliance with international standards. Additionally, growing demand in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors—especially in Europe—is creating new non-food market segments [8,9,10,11,12].
Furthermore, gum arabic has found increasing applications in non-food sectors. According to Market Research Future [13], demand in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries is rising, driven by preferences for natural, bio-based ingredients. This trend is particularly notable in European markets, which prioritize traceability and ethical sourcing [14,15,16].
From a trade perspective, WITC [17], reports steady growth in gum arabic imports by the European Union and the United States, accompanied by a growing emphasis on compliance with phytosanitary and sustainability certifications. The value-added remains concentrated in importing countries, pointing to a critical need for local processing facilities in Africa.
Most of the reviewed literature showed both the economic potential and structural challenges facing gum arabic-producing countries. The dominant themes include the need for value-added, market diversification, institutional support, and improved bargaining power for primary producers.
The economic analyses of the production and trade of gum arabic reveal significant insights into its market dynamics, particularly focusing on the roles of major producing countries, such as Sudan and Chad, and the implications of interlocked transactions in regions, such as Senegal. Global importers include the European Union, the United States, and India. Europe, in particular, values certified and traceable gum due to consumer emphasis on sustainability and ethics [18,19].
Despite gum arabic’s growing global demand and the dominance of African countries in its production, these countries continue to capture only a minimal share of the final market value. Existing studies largely describe production volumes and trade patterns but often lack an integrated analysis of value chain inefficiencies, local value addition potential, and structural trade barriers. This creates a gap in understanding how producer countries can strategically shift from raw material exporters to higher-value actors in the global market. This paper addresses the following research questions: What are the recent trends in global gum arabic trade and consumption? What structural and institutional challenges hinder value addition in major African producing countries? What policy and market strategies could improve value capture and economic benefits for producers?
Based on these questions, the study hypothesizes that enhancing local processing capacity, strengthening cooperative structures, and meeting international quality standards are key to increasing farmgate income and retaining value within producing countries.

2. Materials and Methods

This study uses a descriptive analytical approach based on secondary data to examine gum arabic market trends, trade patterns, and value chain structures in Sudan, Chad, Nigeria, and Senegal. Data were collected from UN COMTRADE, ITC Trade Map, WITS, FAO, and other industry sources covering the period 2010–2024.
The analysis focuses on key indicators, such as export volume, value, unit prices, and importing countries. Comparative trade trends and pricing differences were examined across countries and years to assess market dynamics and value distribution. Due to data limitations, the study does not apply econometric models or statistical tests. The findings are exploratory and aim to identify structural barriers and opportunities for local value addition in producer countries.

3. Results

3.1. Trends of Exporting Gum Arabic (2010–2024)

The export landscape for gum arabic from 2010 to 2024 has been significantly shaped by key producing countries, primarily Sudan, Nigeria, Chad, and Senegal. These nations dominate the market, with Sudan historically recognized as the largest producer. The dynamics of the market have evolved, particularly with Chad and Nigeria emerging as substantial suppliers, challenging Sudan’s previous monopoly. The gum arabic trade has shifted from Sudan-centric hegemony to a fragmented, competitive landscape, with Chad and Nigeria capitalizing on supply gaps. Price surges and import diversification (notably France and the U.S.) underscore the market’s sensitivity to geopolitical and ecological risks. Future growth hinges on sustainable Sahelian production and expanded processing in importing regions [20,21,22].
  • 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

The European Union collectively imported approximately $139 M worth in 2023, a 7.5% increase from 2022. France and Germany import raw gum, refine it into food/pharma-grade products (e.g., spray-dried powder), and re-export globally. France alone processes >60% of Europe’s gum Arabic. France imported $97 M of raw gum in 2023 but exported $205 M of processed gum—a $108 M value-added. Key suppliers were Sudan (71%), Chad (12.9%), the UK, the USA, and Nigeria. China’s 2023 imports total $21 M, reflecting a 12.6% increase since 2022. See Table 1. Its primary suppliers were France (54%), Germany (11.1%), Chad (7%), the USA, and Sudan.
France is the world’s top exporter (71% share in 2023, $205 M) but also a major importer ($97 M). It sources raw gum from Sudan/Chad, upgrades it, and sells it to the US, Germany, and China. Also, Germany imports raw gum from Cameroon/Nigeria and processed gum from France, then re-exports to EU neighbors. In 2023, it imported $38 M and exported $20 M. See Table 2.
European firms (e.g., France’s Nexira) add value through spray-drying for enhanced solubility, certifications as organic, Fair Trade, and GMP for premium markets.
All key importing regions (EU, France, Germany) recorded significant price hikes (over 25%), indicating increased demand, limited supply, or processing premium.
We notice changes in amounts and prices because the increased use of gum arabic in beverages, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics has raised international import value and unit prices. Supply-side constraints include the conflict in Sudan, the leading producer, which disrupted supply chains, likely contributing to higher global prices and reduced volumes (especially to France and the EU).
In exports, France nearly tripled its export revenue, despite a drop in quantity (from 51.1 M kg in 2022 to 44.5 M kg in 2023), signaling major value-added through processing. The sharp rise in unit price reflects France’s role in processing raw gum into high-value derivatives, such as spray-dried powders and certified food/pharmaceutical-grade ingredients. These products command premium prices in global markets. Additionally, France benefits from advanced branding, packaging, regulatory compliance (e.g., organic, GMP, fair trade), and strong access to high-income buyers. Thus, the revenue growth stems from economic upgrading along the value chain, not volume expansion. Germany and the US export small volumes at very high prices, reflecting fully processed, food or pharma-grade powdered gum. Senegal in 2022 is notable for its high unit price, suggesting export of high-quality raw or semi-processed gum.
France’s sharp price jump (from $1.58 to $4.63/kg) reveals the huge margin captured in processing, branding, and distribution. Regarding export concentration, processed gum exporters dominate the high-value end, while raw gum producers (Sudan, Chad) rarely exceed $2/kg in revenue.
Major importing countries: The 2023 data on gum arabic imports reveal France as the global leader in both value and volume. The United States follows with over $72 million in imports; Germany and Italy also display similar patterns of importing moderate volumes at high prices. India, while importing the second-largest volume (34 million kg), records the lowest unit price ($1.03/kg), pointing to imports of raw or lower-grade gum, likely for domestic manufacturing.
On the higher end of the price spectrum, Ireland pays the most ($5.79/kg), indicating a strong preference for high-quality, specialized gum. Similarly, Japan, Poland, and China all pay over $4/kg, signaling their demand for value-added or certified inputs.
This pattern clearly shows a two-tiered global market: high-volume, low-price importers (e.g., France, India) who likely process gum domestically and low-volume, high-price importers (e.g., Ireland, Japan) targeting niche or high-specification markets. See Figure 2.

3.3. Trends in Production in Sudan

The gum arabic in Sudan is mainly produced in a belt stretching from the western border with Chad to the eastern border with Ethiopia, covering an area of roughly 500,000 square kilometers.
The production of gum in Sudan primarily comes from Acacia seyal trees, which cover an area of 36,000 square kilometers (3.6 million hectares). These trees are extensively found in clay soil plains within latitudes ranging from 10 to 14 degrees North [24,25].
Over the 25-year period, gum arabic production in Sudan has shown strong volatility, characterized by Sudden spikes in output, sharp contractions following peak years, and periods of stagnation or slow growth. The chart of gum arabic production in Sudan (2000–2024) highlights extreme volatility driven by recurring climatic shocks, conflict, and market instability. While production peaked in 2020 at 130,000 tons due to favorable conditions and rising demand, the sharp declines in 2021 and 2022 (over −30% annually) reflect the impact of civil unrest, export disruptions, and reduced field access (Figure 3). This inconsistency in production undermines supply reliability and income for producers. The modest recovery in 2024 signals potential stabilization; however, without investment in value chain resilience, local processing, and risk mitigation, Sudan’s gum arabic sector remains highly vulnerable to external shocks [26,27,28,29].
-
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).
Product Diversification: Raw types include Hashab (Acacia senegal) and Talha (Acacia seyal). Processed forms include spray-dried powder and pharmaceutical-grade solutions.

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.
Opportunities and future perspectives include the following:
  • 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

Stage 1: Farmer harvesting is generally performed by smallholder farmers and gum collectors in rural areas. These activities include the following: A. tapping acacia senegal or Acacia seyal trees during the dry season; B. gum oozes from incisions, hardens on bark, and is collected after 4–6 weeks. To have excellent quality, it is important to harvest only mature gum (dry and amber-colored). Avoiding contamination with bark, dust, or water requires using clean, shaded storage bags (not plastic). Poor handling causes discoloration and mold. The amount of gum depends on seasonality, moisture control, tree age, and tapping method. Typical prices range from $0.70 to 1.20/kg at the farmgate [30,31].
Stage 2: Aggregation by local merchants is performed by village-level traders or cooperatives and happens in local markets or collection centers near production zones. The activities include purchasing gum from farmers and the initial sorting and cleaning (manual or rudimentary sieving). Storage is in warehouses or sacks. In this process, merchants add value by offering approximately 20–40% higher prices over farmgate rates for clean, well-graded gum through manual sorting and spoilage prevention. The typical price at this stage ranges from $1.30 to $2.00/kg [32,33].
Stage 3: Grading and drying include the following: 1. Whole, round, handpicked selected (HPS) clear nodules have the highest value. 2. Siftings are small fragments that are less pure and have a lower price. 3. Amber sorts are yellowish or brown gum that varies by oxidation and source tree. 4. Cleaned gum is mechanically or manually sorted, free from impurities. In this stage, grades must meet specifications for food, cosmetic, or pharmaceutical use [34].
This process takes place sometimes at collector cooperatives or private warehouses. More advanced grading happens in urban centers or near ports (e.g., Port Sudan, Kano in Nigeria). Standards are important, and are based on color, size, and impurity level [35,36].
Stage 4: Processing in the same country of production, with licensed exporters or processors, is the next stage. In this stage, the activities include crushing, sorting, sterilizing, and powdering. Packaging in food-grade containers occurred in Sudan, and sometimes in France, India, or Germany, depending on infrastructure. But much of the high-tech processing occurs abroad due to a lack of local facilities. The value added for raw gum may sell at 1.2–2.0 USD/kg, and the value added after processing into food/pharma grade sells at 3.0–5.0 USD/kg or more. During storage, there is a risk of mold and moisture reabsorption. It is important to use dry, ventilated, pest-free environments and jute sacks that are used near collection centers or transport hubs (e.g., Port Sudan, Kano).
Stage 5: In the export to end markets, the main importers are France, the USA, Germany, and India. The applications include emulsifiers in soft drinks (e.g., Coca-Cola), stabilizers in food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, printing, textile, and art materials. The final retail price for processed gum powder is 5–10 USD/kg or more if it is certified organic or pharmaceutical grade.
Stage 6: The industry applications for end use include the food and beverage sector (emulsifiers), pharmaceuticals (capsules), cosmetics (binders), and printing/textiles. Companies include Coca-Cola, Nestlé, and Mars, according to technical sourcing reports, as shown in Figure 4 [36].
How to Ensure Good Quality Gum Arabic
  • 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].
Those steps present a simplified overview of the gum arabic value chain; however, several underlying economic dimensions shape its performance. For example, institutional structure affects how benefits are distributed, particularly where government agencies or monopolies (e.g., Sudan’s Gum Arabic Company) control trade. The governance mechanisms vary by country—ranging from centralized auctions to informal market actors—which influence transparency, pricing, and quality assurance. Additionally, transaction costs are high due to poor infrastructure, inconsistent grading practices, and a lack of digital traceability tools. These factors reduce efficiency, weaken trust between actors, and limit producers’ ability to integrate into high-value segments of the global market.

4. Discussion

Factors that affect the commercialization of gum Arabic include the location of the resource sites, lack of quality awareness, and inaccessibility of gum-producing regions because they are located far from ports or market centres. In most cases, the gum must be transported for hundreds of kilometres over rough roads to the factory for processing and packing, and then to the port for shipment, which ultimately raises the cost of production and deteriorates the quality of the product. A lack of quality awareness and backwardness of production, storage, processing and transportation techniques are among the limiting factors for good prices and expansion of natural gum commercialization in Africa. For example, one of the problems that causes a lack of quality is adulteration (collectors combine different species of product to increase the volume of the product). Hence, poor quality is one of the big problems affecting the market condition. Therefore, there is a need to improve the quality, particularly during production, storage and transportation. Due to uncontrolled trade and sluggish transactions in export trade, registered enterprises complained that the lack of control on both domestic and export trade of gum products in African producing countries is affecting the expansion of official commercialization of the product. The fact that unregistered traders do not pay tax is affecting the competitiveness of registered taxpaying traders and is discouraging the latter groups from expanding their commerce of gum products of the country.
Barriers hindering commercialization and local value addition in African gum arabic-producing countries are multifaceted. A major constraint is the lack of local processing infrastructure, which forces producers to export raw gum at low prices rather than higher-value refined products. Weak producer organizations and fragmented supply chains limit coordination and collective bargaining power. Many smallholders face limited access to finance, modern technology, and training, hindering improvements in quality and productivity. Quality control and certification systems are often inadequate, making it difficult to meet international standards. In addition, poor transport infrastructure from remote production areas increases transaction costs and spoilage. Finally, unfavorable trade policies and limited government support further restrict opportunities for scaling up value-added activities. These structural challenges significantly reduce the competitiveness of African producers and prevent them from capturing greater market value within the global gum arabic trade.

5. Conclusions

Gum arabic is a strategic commodity with significant potential to contribute to sustainable economic development in African producing countries. However, much of its value is lost through the continued export of unprocessed raw material. Unlocking this potential requires targeted efforts to enhance local value addition.
This study examined the structure, trends, and challenges in gum arabic markets, with a focus on Sudan, Chad, Nigeria, and Senegal. The findings support the hypothesis that despite rising global demand, producer countries benefit minimally due to limited processing capacity, weak cooperative structures, and systemic trade barriers.
To improve outcomes, policy and investment priorities should include the following:
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.
Evidence from comparable value chains suggests that these measures could raise farmgate prices by 30–50% and improve access to premium global markets. Achieving this will require coordinated action among governments, private investors, and development partners to build a more equitable, competitive, and resilient gum arabic sector in Africa.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Data Availability Statement

I explained all data in the Section 2 and provided the references.

Conflicts of Interest

The author declares no conflicts of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

References

  1. 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]
  2. 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).
  3. 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).
  4. Farbest Announces An Innovative Gum Acacia. Available online: https://farbest.com/farbest-announces-an-innovative-gum-acacia/ (accessed on 17 July 2025).
  5. 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).
  6. Penna, I. Understanding the FAO’s “Wood Supply from Planted Forests” Projections; Centre for Environmental Management, University of Ballarat: Ballarat, Australia, 2010. [Google Scholar]
  7. 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]
  8. 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]
  9. 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]
  10. 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]
  11. 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).
  12. 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]
  13. 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).
  14. Thompkins, G. Gum Arabic: Sudan’s Miracle Commodity. NPR—All Things Considered, 20 June 2007. [Google Scholar]
  15. 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).
  16. 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]
  17. Tsounis, N.; Vlachvei, A. (Eds.) Advances in Time Series Data Methods in Applied Economic Research; Springer International Publishing: Cham, Switzerland, 2018. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  18. 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]
  19. 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).
  20. 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]
  21. Williams, P.A.; Phillips, G.O. Gum Arabic. In Handbook of Hydrocolloids; Elsevier: Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2021; pp. 627–652. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  22. 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]
  23. 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).
  24. 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).
  25. 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]
  26. 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]
  27. 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).
  28. 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).
  29. 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).
  30. 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).
  31. 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]
  32. 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).
  33. 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).
  34. 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).
  35. 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]
  36. 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]
Figure 1. Gum arabic export trends for Sudan, Nigeria, Chad, and Senegal. Author’s own elaboration based on UN COMTRADE (2024).
Figure 1. Gum arabic export trends for Sudan, Nigeria, Chad, and Senegal. Author’s own elaboration based on UN COMTRADE (2024).
Commodities 04 00016 g001
Figure 2. Volume of gum arabic imported in 2023. Source: Author’s own elaboration based on WITS and ITC Trade Map (2023).
Figure 2. Volume of gum arabic imported in 2023. Source: Author’s own elaboration based on WITS and ITC Trade Map (2023).
Commodities 04 00016 g002
Figure 3. Gum arabic production in Sudan. Source: Author’s own elaboration based on FAO, ITC, and national statistics (2000–2024).
Figure 3. Gum arabic production in Sudan. Source: Author’s own elaboration based on FAO, ITC, and national statistics (2000–2024).
Commodities 04 00016 g003
Figure 4. Gum arabic value chain. Source: Author’s own illustration based on FAO (2016), UNEP (2012), and literature synthesis.
Figure 4. Gum arabic value chain. Source: Author’s own illustration based on FAO (2016), UNEP (2012), and literature synthesis.
Commodities 04 00016 g004
Table 1. Top importers of natural gum arabic in 2022–2023.
Table 1. Top importers of natural gum arabic in 2022–2023.
Country$ In DollarIn kgPrice $ in kg
European Union (2023)139,627,00067,009,0002.8
France (2023)97,301,00052,377,0001.86
United States (2023)72,689,00020,994,0003.46
Germany (2023)38,199,00011,430,0003.34
China (2023)21,376,0005,209,0004.10
European Union (2022)132,284,04083,402,1001.59
United States (2022)105,898,12031,127,0003.40
France (2022)104,486,99073,578,7001.42
India (2022)28,469,36032,778,2000.87
Germany (2022)26,704,76010,245,6002.61
Source: World Integrated Trade Solution, 2022–2023.
Table 2. Top export of natural gum arabic in 2022–2023.
Table 2. Top export of natural gum arabic in 2022–2023.
Country$ In DollarIn kgPrice $ in kg
France (2023)205,942,25044,486,0004.63
European Union (2023)158,975,510**
Germany (2023)20,314,8204,134,8404.91
United States (2023)14,409,7502,702,6305.33
Italy (2023)8,744,8703,339,0202.62
France (2022)80,810,63051,101,6001.58
European Union (2022)40,215,91037,910,8001.06
Senegal (2022)20,060,1003,909,6005.13
Germany (2022)17,860,0004,758,5903.75
United States (2022)12,111,9302,376,2205.10
* Data not available because of existing different products and quality. Source: World Integrated Trade Solution.
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.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

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

AMA Style

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 Style

Dayoub, 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 Style

Dayoub, 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

Article Metrics

Article metric data becomes available approximately 24 hours after publication online.
Back to TopTop