Acacia gum disruption: summary
- War in Sudan threatens acacia gum production and global supply
- Armed groups alleged to be hindering transport routes and increasing traceability challenges
- Suppliers maintain Sudan presence to protect livelihoods and ensure stability
- Companies diversify sourcing to neighbouring countries to secure continuity
Acacia gum — also known as gum arabic or food additive E414 — is a key ingredient sourced across Africa’s “gum belt”, but the war in Sudan is causing major disruption. Supplies are tightening, local producers are losing income, and manufacturers are working hard to maintain traceability in what has effectively become a war zone.
How can ingredient suppliers continue to meet food and beverage manufacturers’ demand for this essential material? And in the midst of civil war, is acacia gum the only ingredient feeling the impact?
What is acacia gum, and how is it used in food and drink?
Acacia gum is used widely across the food and beverage industry, including to make sugar-free coating for chewing gum. It’s also used as a stabiliser, texturiser, as a source of fibre, it can extend a product’s shelf life and improve mouthfeel. But it is perhaps best-known as an emulsifier in soft drinks, where it serves to bind the sugar to the drink.
The gum is sourced from the African acacia tree, grown across the “gum belt” – an area that spans the continent from Ethiopia to Senegal. Local workers “tap” the trees, a process that involves removing a strip of bark to expose it to the arid climate. To protect itself against moisture loss, the tree exudes the gum, which once collected is dried and processed into this well-known ingredient for food and beverage manufacturers.
Sudan has long been a major producer of acacia gum. Even as recently as 2024, as much as 90% of global supply came from the sub-Saharan country, complemented by production in Chad, Nigeria, and Senegal, among others. But now, that heavy reliance on Sudan is at risk.
War in Sudan threatens acacia gum production
Civil war broke out in Sudan in 2023, between its army and paramilitary group the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and both sides have been vying for power ever since. Although the conflict officially started in 2023, tensions had been high for years prior, a period shaped by government coups and civilian campaigns for democracy.
After nearly three years of continuous violence, the conflict has now reached its 1000th day. According to the UN, which describes it as the “worst humanitarian crisis globally”, at least several thousand civilians have been killed, and upwards of 12m people have been displaced.
As the primary producer of acacia gum, Sudan has seen acacia gum production significantly impacted. Journalists on the ground have alleged that armed groups are demanding ransoms to let acacia gum travel across the region. According to Joris van de Sandt and Esther Bijl from Dutch charity PAX, the gum arabic trade has become “deeply entangled” with violence by armed actors, putting traceability at risk.
That gum acacia production has been directly impacted is undeniable, but the impact could end up being far greater, according to management at acacia gum supplier Nexira. The “catastrophe unfolding in Sudan” is affecting many other economic sectors and the agricultural supply chain, we’re told, including sesame, livestock and peanuts.
Ingredient suppliers are doubling down in Sudan
Acacia gum companies are monitoring closely for any illegal behaviour affecting their local suppliers. In the case of Alland & Robert, however, the company says it has not yet received any such reports. Having operated in Sudan for many years, it has no plans to leave – particularly given the strong economic and social importance of acacia gum production in the country.
“Stopping the sourcing in Sudan would mean that millions of people would lose their income from acacia gum,” a company spokesperson explains. “Many of them no longer have any other source of income, due to the conflict. There’s no question of abandoning them.”
Alland & Robert isn’t the only one. The world’s biggest acacia gum supplier, Nexira, is also steadfast in its position: it’s staying. “Maintaining economic activity is vital in order to hope for rebuilding some degree of stability,” company management tells us.
Our priority remains ensuring the integrity of our supplies, the safety of our partners, and the preservation of this essential sector for nearly 6m people across the country.
management spokesperson, Nexira
Maintaining its presence also ensures business continuity in Sudan for Nexira, but the company is wary that amid war, the situation could change. “All of this depends on how the situation evolves, which we monitor closely thanks to information we are able to obtain from the field.”
Securing supply amid civil unrest
The biggest challenge for makers of soft drinks, chewing gum, or any other food or drink for which acacia gum is a critical ingredient, is securing supply. And that’s what the world’s acacia gum suppliers have been working hard to do.
Alland & Robert doesn’t only operate in Sudan, suggesting it can diversify sourcing into countries such as Kenya, Senegal and Chad. Within Sudan, the company remains committed to ethical sourcing, we’re told. “Despite the difficulties caused by the conflict, the entire supply chain is mobilised to maintain the traceability of gum acacia and the legality of transactions.”
Nexira, too, has been working to diversify its supply. Since war broke out, it’s managed to strengthen ties with around ten other supplier countries in the region, company management revealed. These include Chad and Senegal – both countries it’s already familiar working with.
Just as major suppliers are closely monitoring the conflict, food and beverage makers are doing the same. No substitute has matched the quality of acacia gum to date. However, if the ongoing conflict continues to constrain supply, manufacturers could well step up efforts to develop an alternative. After all, necessity is the mother of invention.
