Sudan conflict: How ongoing violence could impact gum acacia supplies in cosmetics and food

12 May 2023 --- Sudan, the world’s largest supplier of gum arabic, is facing a humanitarian crisis as hostilities between rival factions of the military government of Sudan threaten civilian safety. The conflict raises the question of whether the supply of gum arabic – used across cosmetics, beverages and confectionery – is facing a disruption risk.

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 is situated in Northeast Africa and the gum accounts for an estimated 15% of its exports.

“It has been over three weeks since the eruption of fighting in Sudan between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces,” shares United Nations (UN) experts. “Hundreds of civilians have been killed and thousands injured, including women and children, since the fighting began.”AIPG advises that immediate gum arabic supply bottlenecks are not to be expected.

“The crisis has also resulted in hundreds of thousands of people being forcibly displaced from their homes in search of safety. Reports have indicated that civilians of all ages are experiencing various human rights abuses, including sexual assault and gender-based violence, as well as looting and shortages of food, water, healthcare, reproductive healthcare, fuel and other basic goods and services and collapse in communication channels.”

They flag that the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces is causing the civilians to bear the “devastating brunt” of hostilities.

Yesterday, the UN Human Rights Council held a special session to address the “human rights impact of the ongoing conflict in Sudan.”

Gum arabic applications
Sustainable gum arabic specialist Alland & Robert highlights that gum arabic can be used as a safe and natural stabilizer and thickener in cosmetics. The ingredient is used in cosmetics such as mascara, skin lotions, hair products, eyeliners and lipsticks. It also brings stabilization and texture to these products due to its thickening and texture improvement properties.

Gum arabic also has emulsifying properties that can be used in cream lotions or serums that require specific textures, and is also a protective agent in hair care products. Gum arabic is used in cosmetics for improving thickness and texture.

In F&B, acacia gum is also an emulsifier, including an encapsulation and bulking agent. It is often used in fizzy drinks, such as Coca-Cola to prevent ingredient separation.

“Acacia gum is used in liquid and powdered emulsions. 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,” notes Alland & Robert.

“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.

With gum arabic’s various and valuable uses across large industries, the question of its supply amid the ongoing Sudan conflict is vital to examine.

No immediate shortage
In a statement by the Association for International Promotion of Gums (AIPG), the organization reassures that immediate supply bottlenecks are not to be expected because of the current events in Sudan.For beverages, acacia gum is an emulsifier and an encapsulation and bulking agent.

“AIPG members are aware of the extremely problematic situation in Sudan and sincerely hope that a peaceful solution will soon be found. AIPG members are monitoring the development of the situation and keep in touch with their local contacts,” reads the statement.

“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.”

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

The association believes importers will be able to withstand possible interruptions in supply.

“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.

How long will storage last?
However, the question of how long the industry will be able to withstand in case of disruptions remains to be seen.

In his 2017 report, Hassan shares that over 10% of Sudan’s population relies to a certain degree on gum arabic, which indicates the importance of the commodity to the livelihoods of the Sudanese people.Sudan leads in quantity and quality of gum arabic (Image credit: Alland & Robert).

“Estimates vary, however, in terms of gum arabic’s contribution to total household income in rural areas. Some estimates put that contribution at 50% while more conservative estimates indicate that 25% of rural household income comes from gum arabic.”

Moreover, UNCTAD’s (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) 2018 special issue on gum arabic revealed that there are important discrepancies across producing countries.

“Sudan plays a leadership role both in terms of the quantities produced and quality. While Chad has made significant progress in recent decades, Nigeria has been hindered by quality inconsistency, poor market organization and production disruptions due to the Boko Haram insurgency,” finds the organization.

“In Cameroon, Mali and Senegal, exports have started to rebound after decades of decline and stagnation. In most other countries in the African gum belt, production remains low and irregular. Although these countries are endowed with favorable natural conditions, domestic gum resources remain underexploited. For example, in parts of Ethiopia, Kenya and South Sudan, local communities lack awareness of the commercial value of gum arabic.” 

The global market for arabic gum is marked by a high level of concentration – two countries account for three-quarters of all crude gum arabic imports, with one country accounting for two thirds of all processedgum arabic exports, according to UNCTAD.

By Venya Patel