Gum Arabic

What It Is:
Gum Arabic, also known as acacia gum, is a natural gum harvested from the sap of Acacia Senegal and Acacia Seyal trees. It is a pale, dry exudate that is water-soluble and edible, widely used in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and industrial applications. Nigeria is one of the world’s top producers and exporters of high-grade Gum Arabic.

What Export of It Is

Exporting Gum Arabic involves sourcing the gum in raw or cleaned form, grading it into recognized international standards (Grade 1 – Grade 3), proper drying and packaging, and shipping in bulk or retail quantities to international buyers, especially in Europe, Asia, and North America.

Grades of Gum Arabic

Global Applications

• Food Industry: Used as a stabilizer, emulsifier, and dietary fiber in soft drinks, chewing gums, and syrups.

• Pharmaceuticals: As a binder in pills, emulsifying agent in creams, and coating in tablets.

• Cosmetics: Used in lotions, creams, and natural skincare formulations.

• Industrial Use: In textiles, lithography, glue, and ink manufacturing.

Packaging for Export

• Bulk Packaging: 25kg or 50kg multi-ply kraft paper bags or jute sacks with inner polyethylene lining.

• Retail Packaging: Available in 500g to 5kg packs for processed or powdered gum.

• Container Load: Typically shipped in 20ft containers holding 12–15 metric tons.

Major Sourcing Regions in Nigeria

• Borno

• Yobe

• Bauchi

• Kano

• Nasarawa

• Katsina

• Zamfara

Export Requirements

• Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) registration

• Phytosanitary Certificate from NAQS

• Certificate of Origin

• Quality Certification (SGS or Intertek recommended)

• NAFDAC number if processed for food or cosmetics

HS Code:

13012000 – Natural gum, gum Arabic