Smuggling of Gum Arabic: How War-Torn Sudan's Key Ingredient Ends Up in Global Products

How the ongoing conflict in Sudan is affecting the gum arabic trade, and what it means for the companies that rely on this key ingredient.

Gum Arabic, a vital ingredient used in many global products like Coca-Cola, M&M's, and L'Oreal lipsticks, is increasingly being smuggled out of Sudan’s war zones. With Sudan producing around 80% of the world's gum arabic, this smuggling issue has raised concerns about ethical sourcing, certification, and the impact on global supply chains.

What is Gum Arabic and Why Does It Matter?

Gum Arabic is a natural substance harvested from acacia trees. It plays an essential role in many consumer products, particularly as an emulsifier and stabilizer. It's used in everything from soft drinks like Coca-Cola to candies like M&M's, cosmetics, pet food, and even pharmaceuticals. Despite its significance, Sudan, where the majority of gum arabic is produced, is facing a crisis due to the ongoing civil war.

Sudan's Civil War and its Impact on Gum Arabic Production

Sudan, once the leading producer of gum arabic, has been torn apart by a civil war that started in early 2023. The conflict pits Sudan's national army against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), who now control the key gum-harvesting regions of Kordofan and Darfur.

With these areas under the control of the RSF, the gum arabic trade has been affected, as the RSF demands payment for protection and controls the distribution of this valuable raw material.

Smuggling Routes and Uncertainty in the Supply Chain

The gum arabic that is produced in these war-torn regions is now being smuggled out through informal routes into neighboring countries like Chad, South Sudan, and Egypt. These countries, which were previously not major exporters of gum arabic, have recently begun offering it at suspiciously low prices, without proper certifications. This raises concerns about the origin of the gum and whether it is sourced ethically from conflict-free regions.

Ethical Concerns and Lack of Certification

Due to the instability in Sudan, it has become extremely difficult for global companies to trace the source of gum arabic. Many traders do not disclose where their products come from, leaving companies uncertain whether they are buying gum from regions controlled by armed militias. This lack of transparency in the supply chain puts companies like Coca-Cola, Nestlé, and Mars at risk of unknowingly supporting conflict and illegal activities.

Certification Issues

The ethical certification of gum arabic, such as the Sedex certification, ensures that it is sourced responsibly. However, many of the smuggled supplies do not come with this certification, making it difficult for companies to ensure that their supply chains are free from conflict-related sourcing.

What Are Companies Doing to Address the Issue?

In response to these challenges, several global ingredients suppliers are diversifying their sources of gum arabic. Companies like Nexira and Ingredion have started sourcing from other countries, such as Cameroon and Senegal, to reduce their reliance on Sudan. Despite these efforts, the smuggling routes remain active, and tracking the origin of gum arabic continues to be a challenge.

For instance, Mohamed Hussein Sorge, the founder of Unity Arabic Gum, shared that traders from Senegal and Chad were offering gum arabic at much lower prices than usual, but without proper documentation. This led Sorge to refuse their offers, fearing the gum may have been stolen or smuggled through RSF-controlled areas.

Changing Trade Routes: From Khartoum to Border Markets

Before the war, gum arabic was typically processed in Khartoum and shipped through Port Sudan to global markets. However, the conflict has shifted the trade routes. Smuggled gum is now being sold in informal border markets between Sudan and South Sudan, and sometimes even reaching countries like Kenya and Egypt through backchannels. Traders who handle the gum often have to pay protection fees to the RSF to ensure the safety of their products.

The Global Impact of Smuggling of Gum Arabic

The illegal trade of gum arabic has begun to infiltrate the global supply chain for products like soft drinks, cosmetics, and food. For example, gum arabic from smuggling networks has been seen online and at informal markets in countries like South Sudan, Chad, and Kenya. These developments complicate efforts by companies to maintain ethical and sustainable supply chains.

The smuggling of gum arabic from Sudan’s conflict zones highlights the broader challenges faced by global companies that rely on raw materials from unstable regions. As companies work to diversify their supply chains and avoid contributing to the ongoing conflict, the situation remains fluid, and the ethical implications of sourcing remain uncertain.