2024-05-02 22:34:40
The Sudanese crisis is having repercussions on the global gum arabic market. Sudan, a historic gum producer, has reduced its exports. Result: countries like Chad are interesting alternatives for importers. But the country is currently experiencing difficulties in meeting the high demand.
Tracks in poor condition, a glaring lack of water points close to acacia nurseries… Due to a lack of infrastructure in the production areas, the Chadian sector cannot keep up with the pace of global demand. « If things continue like this, customers will be forced to look for substitute products. This is why we really want to increase production, explains Albachir Ahmat, president of Chadian gum arabic exporters, we can’t get there in certain areas because there are no roads, there is no access, there is no water either. And all of this requires intervention from the State or from donors. »
Risk of products without gum arabic
A kilo of hard rubber, called kitir, went from 700 CFA francs in one year to 1,750 francs today. Problem: too high a price increase will push customers to find other products. “ We must not lie to ourselves: if prices rise too much, we, importers and processors of gum arabic, will no longer be able to sellwarns Charles Alland, CEO of the French company Alland et Robert, world number 2 in gum arabic processing. Prices cannot go up the trees, there are limits. If this continues, some customers will reformulate their products to remove gum arabic and replace it with other competing products such as starches, for example. »
The Sudanese logistics circuit for the export of gum arabic is no longer as effective. It is difficult to estimate the actual production of gum in the country at war. In any case, the Chad neighbor can recover this important windfall.
Lack of political will?
On condition of perpetuating production and making it grow. “ There are between 600 and 700,000 people who make a living from gum arabic.specifies Albachir Ahmat. If we no longer sell it, it will be catastrophic for the country, and even for nature. Because the trees will be cut down to make firewood. That’s what worries us. »
The French gum arabic importer Charles Alland is banking on Chad: “ We try to convince and then support our suppliers. But behind this, if there is no political will in Chad, things will not change drastically in the months or years to come. Chad has enormous potential; it is the opportunity, today, to modernize and improve the gum sector. » The Special Fund for the preparation of infrastructure projects in Chad would have provided guarantees for financial support. “ You won’t have to drag », Explain professionals in the sector.
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