Gum arabic

Gum arabic is a key, yet usually undeclared, ingredient in sodas. It comes from the sap of two Acacia tree species found across the Sahel region of Africa. These trees can play a major role in halting desertification and supplementing income of harvesters, yet are increasingly threatened by climate change.

 

Names

Gum arabic, Senegalia senegal*

Found in ingredients as

Acacia gum, gum arabic, food additive E414

Used in

Top producers

Sudan, Chad, Nigeria

Conservation status

IUCN Red List:

CITES:

Not listed

 

*Note: Although this profile focuses on S. senegal, the dried sap from another similar tree, Vachellia seyal, is also called gum arabic. The sap from both species is internationally traded as gum arabic, although S. senegal gum is reportedly more popular in trade.

 

Opportunities

 

Gum Arabic sorting in Sudan.
Photo: Salahaldeen Nadir / World Bank / Flickr

 
 

 Conservation & restoration

In the Sahel region, acacia trees are being used to rehabilitate dryland vegetation through the Great Green Wall Project, which aims to create a new forest spanning the African continent. This creates income-earning opportunities for local people and can contribute to restoring biodiversity.

 Partnerships & Associations

Engage with local groups, NGOs, and other businesses operating in the region to encourage the protection of, and planting of further, Senegalia senegal trees. The Network for Natural Gums and Resins in Africa (NGARA), for example, is a pan-African organization that assists African producer countries in sustainably developing their natural gums and resin resources.

 Standards & certification

Certifications can be a supporting tool to ensure responsible sourcing. A wide range of standards are available that can be applied to wild-harvested plants, such as FairWild, Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT), Fairtrade, FairForLife, Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Organic, Rainforest Alliance, and Certificate of Origin (e.g. DOP/PDO, PGI, TCG). Specific to gum arabic, there are suppliers interested in achieving FairWild certification if the demand exists.

Biological Risk

*Only Senegalia senegal has been assessed.

 
 

The species’ conservation status has not been assessed globally.

Its distribution is restricted to dry tropics and subtropics zones across Africa and Arabia.

It has multiple uses, including as an emulsifier in a range of food and drink products.

It is facing multiple threats, including: 

  • climate change 

  • livestock grazing  

  • overharvesting 

Social Risk

Assessed for Sudan, Chad, and Nigeria

 

Header image: Gum arabic © Alland & Robert

 
 

All of the countries assessed have complex socioeconomic contexts, including either high instances of child and/or forced labour, high vulnerability to forced labour, or both.  

Given that gum arabic harvesting is often a family activity, combined with the socioeconomic context, it is possible that child labour occurs in gum arabic supply chains.  

In Sudan, amidst wider internal conflict, trade unions have been dissolved, thus depriving workers of their right to freedom of association and collective bargaining.  

Other concerns include low pay to harvesters who are often from marginalised or vulnerable groups.