India, May 1 -- Sudan accounts for about 70% of global gum arabic exports

The conflict in Sudan has turned attention to a rarely discussed commodity: Gum arabic. This product, the dried sap of certain species of acacia trees, is used mainly as an additive in the soft drinks industry.

Sudan accounts for about 70 per cent of global gum arabic exports. Asgar Ali, an expert in sustainable food systems, answers questions about the commodity and its prospects.

What is gum arabic?

Acacia gum, commonly called gum arabic , is derived from certain kinds of acacia trees: Senegalia senegal and Vachellia seyal .

Sap is extracted from acacia trees by cutting incisions in their bark that allow the liquid to seep out. After that, the sap turns into ...