Gum arabic farmers in sticky situation

Sudanese farmers harvesting gum arabic resin from an acacia tree in the state-owned demokaya research forest, some 30km east of El Obeid, the capital city of North Kordofan. —

SUDAN’s war has left farmers of gum arabic, a vital ingredient for global industry including fizzy drinks, bereft of local buyers but a trade group assures global stocks are – for now – sufficient.

The golden blobs of resin tapped from thorny acacia trees are an emulsifying agent used in everything from soft drinks to chewing gum and pharmaceuticals.