- Violence between two warring generals broke out in Sudan's capital on April 15.
- The conflict is having an impact on exports of gum arabic, a key ingredient in dozens of products, including Coke and Pepsi.
- Sudan is responsible for about 70% of the world's supply of gum arabic.
For the Sudanese, the ongoing conflict between two warring generals in Khartoum threatens their lives and their stability. For Americans, it might mean less soda.
Sudan is the world's largest producer and primary supplier of gum arabic, a resin from the acacia tree that's used in sodas, candy, and even make-up products. About 70% of the world's supply originates in Sudan, Sky News reported.
The conflict now threatens the production and distribution of that key ingredient, and could mean shortages of dozens of everyday products, Reuters reported.
"For companies like Pepsi and Coke, they can't exist without having gum arabic in their formulations," Dani Haddad, marketing and development director of Agrigum, a leading global supplier, told Reuters.
Violence between two warring generals erupted in Sudan's capital, Khartoum, on April 15. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who leads the Sudanese Army, and Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the leader of the Rapid Support Forces, a powerful paramilitary group, have been jockeying for control since the two seized power in 2021.
Tensions between the two generals took a violent turn as negotiations over the formation of a new military force broke down. Heavy gunfire and explosions reverberated throughout Khartoum on Friday despite recent pledges for a truce.
Reuters reported that companies that rely on gum arabic have typically kept a 3- to 6-month stockpile due to long-running concerns over Sudan's stability. But this particular conflict is centered around the country's capital, which means the trade of gum arabic has come to a halt, distributors told Reuters.
Mohamad Alnoor, who runs Gum Arabic USA, told Reuters that it's now impossible to source the ingredient because of road blockages and fighting.
"Our suppliers are struggling to secure necessities because of the conflict," Jinesh Doshi, managing director of Vijay Bros, an importer based in Mumbai, told Reuters. "Both buyers and sellers are clueless on when things will normalize."
