U.S. imports of gum arabic (HS 130120) totaled $7.8M in April 2026, traded with 19 countries.
Last updated: April 2026 dataGum arabic — the dried exudate of Acacia senegal and related species — is a critical food-grade hydrocolloid used as an emulsifier, stabilizer, and encapsulating agent in beverages, confectionery, and pharmaceutical coatings. Chad and Sudan are the primary origin countries for raw gum arabic, reflecting the Sahel belt where Acacia trees are harvested, while France and the United Kingdom serve as major re-export and processing hubs that account for a significant share of US import volume. FDA regulates gum arabic as a food additive with GRAS status, but importers must still ensure product specifications — particularly moisture content and viscosity grade — meet buyer and regulatory requirements. The single 10-digit line 1301200000 covers all forms of gum arabic.
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France and the UK are major processing and re-export centers: raw gum arabic harvested in Chad, Sudan, and South Sudan is shipped to European processors who clean, spray-dry, or otherwise refine it before re-exporting to the US. The country of origin for customs purposes reflects the last country of substantial transformation, which in these cases is typically the European processor.
Importers should verify current OFAC sanctions status and any applicable trade restrictions before sourcing directly from Sudan or South Sudan, as US sanctions programs have historically affected trade with those countries. Consulting a licensed customs broker or trade compliance counsel is recommended before placing orders from those origins.
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Imports
$7.8M
from 19 countries · YTD: $28.1M
Exports
$779K
Deficit of $7.0M (net importer)
Trade balance: deficit of $7.0M (net importer)
YTD: $28.1M imported (April 2026)
117 shipments/month
Monthly import values over time
VEGETABLE SAPS AND EXTRACTS, NESOI
HS 130219
PECTIC SUBSTANCES, PECTINATES AND PECTATES
HS 130220
MUCILAGES/THICKNRS FRM LOCUST BEAN/SEED, GUAR SEED
HS 130232
MUCILAGE & THICKNER W/N MODIFIED,FRM VEG PRD NESOI
HS 130239
NATURAL GUMS, GUM RESINS, RESINS AND BALSAMS NESOI
HS 130190
AGAR-AGAR
HS 130231
Top U.S. entry points for this product, ranked by latest-month import value.