SUDAN –  The ongoing war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) raises the question of whether the supply of gum arabic – used across cosmetics, beverages and confectionery – is facing a disruption risk.

Acacia gum is used in the food and beverage industry as an emulsifier, including an encapsulation and bulking agent.

Its film-forming and tensioactive properties are perfect for emulsions of essential oils and powders (flavors), and are convenient for stabilizing oil in water emulsions before a spray drying operation. 

It is often used in fizzy drinks, such as Coca-Cola to prevent ingredient separation. In the ingredients industry, acacia gum is used to encapsulate liposoluble substances, essential oils, vitamins, flavors, and colorings. 

Within confectioneries and sweets, Acacia gum is a vegetal texturing, coating agent, and the main ingredient in gum drops. Other uses include boiled candies or pastilles.

Acacia trees, the source of gum arabic, are found across the gum belt stretching approximately 520,000 square kilometers – through the African savannah from the West to the East of the continent, according to “Gum Arabic in Sudan: An Analysis of the Value Chain” by Yassir Hassan.

Sudan which is situated in Northeast Africa plays a leadership role both in terms of the quantities produced and quality, UNCTAD’s (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) 2018 special issue on gum Arabic highlights.

With gum arabic’s various and valuable uses across large industries, it’s not surprising that concerns are being raised over potential supply shortages should the conflict in the world’s largest producer of gum Arabic persist.

Gum Arabic suppliers however claim to have sufficient stock of the ingredient and therefore do not foresee supply bottlenecks as a result of the current events in Sudan.

The Association for International Promotion of Gums (AIPG) has since written a statement to allay any fears of supply disruptions as a result of the war.

“Based on decades of experience in the Sudan business and generally as producers, importers and manufacturers of natural products from all over the world, AIPG members do not believe that the supply situation of end users of gum arabic is at risk,” reads the statement.

They justify their stance, saying that member companies – including Alland & Robert – keep sufficient stocks of gum arabic imported from Sudan and other countries.

“Further on, it must also be considered that Sudan is not the only supplier country for gum arabic, as also countries like Chad and Nigeria significantly contribute to the supply continuity of the market,” adds AIPG.

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