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This from the
now defunct Sudanese Government web site. Gum arabic, or acacia gum, is the resin exuded by Acacia Senegal trees. The tapping and harvesting of the trees in the semi-arid regions of the Sudan are colorful but physically demanding activities that are vital to the economy of the Sudan. Several million people must be mobilized to make the industry function effectively. Under the guidance and financing of the Gum Arabic Co., Ltd., major strides have been made is establishing reliable procurement programs and large buffer stock inventories to protect against supply interruptions. Gum arabic is a superior emulsion former
that has no substitute among synthetic additives. It provides excellent
shelflife stability to oil in water emulsions and does not mask
flavors with a filmy texture or off-flavor on the tongue. 1. Executive summary The major user of gum Arabic is the food industry. Gum Arabic is also used in pharmaceuticals and the printing industry. Based on the research data the demand for gum Arabic at this moment appears to flat or only slightly increasing. However, its many important functions and uses will ensure its demand in the future. EU imports totaled 23.2 thousand metric tonnes in 1993. US imports for the same period were 5.5 thousand metric tonnes. About 40% of the US imports were processed gum Arabic. European imports consisted mostly of crude gum Arabic. European countries (mainly France) re-exports processed gum Arabic to the US. 2. Product description The trees grow mainly in the sub-Sahara or Sahel zone of Africa but also in Australia, India and South America. The main producing and exporting countries in the ‘gum belt’ include Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Nigeria and Sudan. Sudan dominates the world gum trade with a market share of about 60%. Gum Arabic has a very special place in the food sector, having been a major ingredient for years especially in a number of confectionery products. It has tremendous export potential as long as attention is paid to quality and consistency of supply. 2.1. Production Acacia trees are grown from seedlings which are planted when they reach the height of 15- 20 cm. Gum production can begin when the trees are 5 years old although gum may be tapped from the trees after 3 years. However, the quality and yield are consistent only after 5 years. Also according to a British importer, old crop gum Arabic has a better viscosity than new crop gum. Gum production from wild stands of Acacia trees is being replaced by the cultivation of uniform stands of monocultures of A. Senegal. According to Chemical Marketing Reporter a Sudanese research project started in 1990 is trying to develop new, drought-resistant acacia trees which will bear higher yield and more consistent quality. Gum Arabic from other African countries may be variable in quality due to the mixed species of Acacia trees found in the collection areas. A US food industry consultant emphasized the fact that the soil composition of different regions together with varying climate conditions affect the color and quality of gum Arabic. Therefore gum Arabic from different regions might not necessarily be interchangeable in food production. 2.2. Standards and specifications Table 1. Gum Arabic: equivalent commercial
grades. Source: Imeson, A.P. 1992. Thickening and gelling agents for food. p. 69. Variations in consignment quality and a lack of local cleaning facilities have been addressed by importers in the US and Europe who purchase material on the basis of approval of pre-delivery samples and then process to ensure product specifications are met. The three main specifications that are widely used by the importers when importing raw gum Arabic are: moisture content 12-14% These specifications must be met before exporting is possible. Also the microbiological count for Salmonella, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus must be negative. 2.3. Processing, packaging, shipment Sudan now exports only semi-processed or processed kibbled variety gum Arabic instead of crude gum lumps. The kibbled variety can be used as such or further processed. It must also be noted that European countries import more crude material than the US. European countries re-export a lot of processed gum Arabic to the US. In 1993 40% of US gum Arabic imports were processed. The percentage for European imports of processed gum Arabic is lower than for the US but an exact figure was not available. The crude gum Arabic is exported either in burlap or jute sacks. The US regulations require that only new, unused jute sacks are used. Semi-processed and processed kibbled variety, granules and powdered gum Arabic is exported in drums, polyethylene lined multi-wall paper bags or polyethylene lined cardboard boxes. Gum Arabic, when stored in cool (21 -24 C)7 and dry place, has in reason an unlimited shelf life. Exported gum Arabic is mostly transported by vessel which is much cheaper than transport by air. For example in 1993, 70 % of the US imports of gum Arabic was transported by vessel. Since the shelf-life of gum Arabic is virtually unlimited, the slower transportation by vessel compared to transportation by air is not a limiting factor. 2.4. Usage overview However, the demand for gum Arabic and for hydrocolloids in general varies significantly between food and non-food applications and, in the food industry, between sectors and individual product groups within a sector. Also the demand varies from country to country and this complicates the evaluation of current and forecast demand. 2.5. Applications and uses In addition gum Arabic has water solubility, is insoluble in alcohols and forms colorless, tasteless solutions. The food applications of gum Arabic have been developed from its unequaled combination of properties. Emulsification, acid stability, low viscosity at high concentration, adhesive and binding properties and good mouthfeel characteristics have been used in five main food areas (worldwide) in descending order of importance: • confectionery 3. Market overview Characteristics of demand It is stated by importers that the major factors affecting demand are price and supply fluctuations. Growing consumption of products that include gum Arabic would also have a positive effect on demand. Since 1991 cold weather, foliage attack by locusts and changes in export duties (in Sudan) on gum Arabic have reduced exudation and gum supplies coming to market. Also in 1993 much of the price increase was a direct result of an effort within the Sudan to privatize the gum Arabic industry, a move that led to both hoarding and reduced procurement of the gum. Another cause of concern for importers has been the erratic nature of the Sudanese supply. Although the Sudan is the major gum Arabic producer in the world.. This effect of the problems concerning the Sudanese gum Arabic can be seen in the following figures of gum Arabic SPOT prices. The SPOT prices include list prices of suppliers either on a New York or producing shipping point basis. The quotations are based on prices reported in the market or obtained from suppliers and other sources. They do not necessarily represent prices at which transactions have actually occurred. They do however give a good overview of the price development. Also the price for crude gum Arabic would be expected to be a little lower than for processed gum. Table 2. SPOT prices for powdered and
spray dried gum Arabic June 1990-April 1994 in $US per kg. 3.2. The US market Table 3. US total imports of gum Arabic
by quantity and value 1989- 1994. The two most important exporters to the US since 1989 have been Sudan and France. These two countries have dominated the trade with a market share of 85-95%. France mostly re-exports processed gum Arabic after exporting crude gum Arabic mainly from African producing countries. United Kingdom holds the third place with a 3-4% share of the market (see appendices). As stated previously, the US imports mostly processed gum Arabic from Europe. 3.3. The EU market Table 4. EU import totals of gum Arabic
by quantity and value 1990- 1993. The most important European importers are France, United Kingdom and Germany. Together they import over 70% of gum Arabic to Europe. As was noted earlier France and United Kingdom are also the major exporters to the US. The major exporters are Sudan and Nigeria who are responsible for 60-70% of the gum Arabic exported to Europe. Chad, Cameroon and Mexico are also important exporters with a combined market share of a little over 20%. 4. Opportunities and threats gum Arabic Health conscious consumers demand natural ingredients and this offers gum Arabic tremendous potential. The particular properties of gum Arabic have been identified and utilized in food applications over many years. The use of gum Arabic can not be totally substituted by the use of other gums or starches because they do not perform the same functions. Gum Arabic has a long, safe history of use in foods and recent toxicological data has been assessed and approved. The market data indicates that the European market would be easier to penetrate than the US market for exporting crude gum Arabic. This assumption is based on the fact that 40% of the gum Arabic imported to the US is processed. The US market is dominated by Sudan and France with a combined market share of over 90%. On the other hand the top five exporters have roughly an 80-85% market share of the EU market. Table 5. Opportunities and threats for
gum Arabic. |
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