The Arabic gum, a vital ingredient used in infinite products, from Coca-Cola to M & M chocolates, is increasingly distributed by areas of Sudan-destroyed by the Sudan War, they say traders and sources in the industry, complicating the efforts of Western companies to isolate them.

Sudan produces about 80% of the Arabic gum, a natural ingredient collected from acacia and is widely used to mix, stabilize and thicken ingredients on mass market products, including L’Oreal lipsticks and Nestle pet foods.

The paramilitary forces (RSF) in conflict with the Sudan national army since April 2023 have gained control of areas produced by the gum, such as the Cordopan region and Darfour in West Sudan.

Since then, the raw product, which can only reach the market from Sudanese merchants that will give in return to the rebels, reaches neighboring states without the appropriate certificationReuters say producers and buyers who are directly involved in the commerce of the gum.

The product is then exported through informal border markets, two traders told Reuters.

A rebel spokesman said the paramilitary forces were protecting the Arab Commercial Commerce by collecting only minor fees, and said that the debate on any violation of the law was propaganda against the paramilitary group.

Last month, the RSF signed an agreement with allied groups, establishing a parallel government in the parts of Sudan.

In recent months, traders in countries with less production in Arabic gum than Sudan, such as Chad and Senegal, or with small exports, such as Egypt and South Sudan, have started offering the product at low prices.

While acacia trees producing Arabic gum are growing in anhydrous Sahel, Africa, Sudan has become by far the largest exporter in the world due to large acacia.

Suppliers point out to Reuters that it is often difficult to determine where the supplies come from, as many traders would not say if their product is smuggled.

“Today, all of Sudan’s gum we would say is smuggled, as there is no real official power in the country,” the suppliers say.

Five sources in the industry reported that opaque gum trade can interfere with the global system of supplies of ingredients through companies that supply it raw and then sell it to large consumer goods companies.

In contact with Reuters, such a company, Ingredion, said that it is working to ensure that all transactions with the supply chain are fully legal and has differentiated the commission from the beginning of the war to include other countries such as Camero.

Another company, Nexira told Reuters that the Civil War has prompted it to reduce its imports from Sudan and take precautionary measures to alleviate the impact on its supply chain, including expanding the supply to ten other countries.