War-torn Sudan supplying crucial global product
A vital ingredient used in everything from Coca-Cola to M&M’s sweets, called gum arabic, is being trafficked from rebel-held areas of war-torn Sudan, complicating Western companies’ efforts to insulate their supply chains from the conflict, according to Middle East Monitor on March 6th.
Sudan produces around 80% of the world’s gum arabic which is a natural substance harvested from acacia trees that’s used widely to mix, stabilise and thicken ingredients in mass-market products including L’Oreal lipsticks and Nestle pet food.
The raw product is making its way to Sudan’s neighbours without proper certification, according to conversations with eight producers and buyers who are directly involved in gum arabic trading or based in Sudan.
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