Security Challenges Drive Decline in Sudan’s Gum Arabic Exports

Sudanhorizon – Nazik Shamam

The Information and Market Research Unit of the National Chamber of Exporters has revealed that Sudan’s gum arabic production fell to approximately 58,765 tonnes over the 12-month period of 2025-2026, with a total value of nearly $156 million. This compares with pre-war levels of 130,000 tonnes of production in 2020 and exports of 88,000 tonnes in 2021.

The study, reviewed by Sudanhorizon, explained that intense fighting in the main production areas of the Kordofan and Darfur regions has severely disrupted harvesting and export operations. This has resulted in substantial quantities being diverted through unofficial routes and the falsification of origin records.

According to the study, this situation prompted the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in July 2026 to warn of the risk of gum arabic trade being used to finance the conflict, calling for strict mechanisms to verify the integrity of supply chains.

The study noted that France topped the list of importers as Europe’s largest processing and distribution hub, importing 43,027 tonnes valued at $92.85 million. It was followed by India with 10,860 tonnes ($14.09 million), the United Kingdom with 5,219 tonnes ($13.59 million), the United States with 4,881 tonnes ($12.15 million), and Germany with 4,447 tonnes ($13.72 million), in addition to markets in Japan and China.

The National Chamber of Exporters in Sudan announced a package of regulatory measures, including the launch of a national digital system to track shipments from production areas to ports, separating supply chains for hashab and talha gum arabic, and issuing a weekly benchmark price bulletin to regulate the market.

Shortlink: https://sudanhorizon.com/?p=20195