Review of Gum Arabic Production Stability and Fluctuation, Sudan
M. A. Eisa *
Department of Crop protection, Faculty of Natural Resources & Environmental Studies, University of Kordofan, P. O. Box 160, Elobeid, 51111, Sudan.
Hanan M. Elhadi
Africorp International, Kuwaiti, Sudanese Business Center, Nile St. Khartoum, Sudan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The current paper reviewed the history of gum production in Sudan. Gum Arabic is an Acacia senegal exudate as defined by the FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee for Food Additives. Sudan is the world's largest producer and exporter, contributing 80 to 90% of the world’s supply of this commodity. During the past 30 years production in Sudan shows alarming signs of overall decrease and also a substantial year-to-year variation in addition during the 1990’s world exports have started to pick momentum again, however, exports from Sudan almost remained the same, due to stagnating production in Sudan as well as the growing competition of other exporters.
Keywords: Gum arabic, Sudan, gum production, Acacia species