arabic gum

The most common of the products is gum Arabic which is collected from the acacia Senegal species. The gum, which is a dried sap from the acacia Senegal tree species, is used as a bonding agent and emulsifier in soft drinks such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi. It keeps the sugar from separating and crystalising after bottling.

It is also used as a binder for pharmaceutical drugs, sweets and chewing gum as well as cosmetics.

To collect the gum, locals are trained to make a small cut on the trees and leave the sap to ooze and solidify for about two weeks before collecting. At optimal conditions, the best trees can produce up to 1.5 kilos daily.

Gum Arabic is a huge product especially in Europe and America where Sudan is the largest supplier, accounting for up *0 percent of the global supply. According to a report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Sudan exported two thirds of the gum globally in ***8.

So crucial is the product to the world beverage industry that the US exempted it from the economic sanctions it imposed on Sudan in ***7. The country earned over Sh8 billion ($*0m) from exporting *1,**7 tonnes of gum Arabic in ***1. As of mid****5, the gum had earned Sh5 billion ($*0m) for *4,**0 tonnes of the product.

Myrrh and frankincense are two other key products fetching millions for northern Kenya residents. The two are used in production of essential oils and cosmetics. Like the Biblical gifts given during the birth of Jesus, the two products are known for their unique scent.