Core Insights - Sudan's production of gum arabic has decreased by 60% compared to pre-conflict levels, primarily due to armed conflicts disrupting harvesting and transportation operations in key production areas like Kordofan and Darfur [1] - The decline in production has led to a 9% increase in gum arabic prices globally, with countries like Chad, Niger, and Mali benefiting from increased exports to fill the gap left by Sudan's reduced output [1] - The price of hashab gum arabic has risen to approximately $3,150 per ton, up from $2,200 before the conflict [1] - The annual export volume from Sudan, which was between 120,000 to 150,000 tons before the conflict, has dropped significantly since 2023, with the potential for further declines as the conflict continues [1] - Out of the original 187 companies in the industry, 180 have closed down due to the ongoing crisis [1] Industry Developments - The ongoing conflict has resulted in fuel shortages and abnormal population migrations, leading to significant deforestation of gum arabic trees, threatening the sustainability of the industry and Sudan's ability to regain its position in the global market [2] - Despite the challenges, there are positive developments such as the growth of the direct-to-consumer (B2C) market, with increased demand for small packaging of gum arabic driven by social media platforms like TikTok, which has raised awareness among new consumer groups [2] - This shift has created new job opportunities and increased income for producers in the industry [2]