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SITCSection 2
U.S. imports of gum arabic (SITC 29222) totaled $7.8M in April 2026, traded with 19 countries.
Importers of Gum Arabic paid $759K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 9.8% on $7.8M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Gum Arabic imports of $7.8M in April 2026 ran 10% above the year-to-date monthly average of $7.0M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataHarvested from Acacia senegal and related species primarily in the Sahel region of Africa, gum arabic is a natural hydrocolloid used as an emulsifier, stabilizer, and encapsulant in food, beverage, pharmaceutical, and printing-ink applications. Sudan has historically been the dominant global supplier, making supply concentration and geopolitical risk a recurring concern for buyers who depend on consistent quality and viscosity specifications. Food-grade gum arabic entering US commerce is subject to FDA Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status requirements, and importers should ensure supplier documentation supports the applicable food-grade specification.
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Food-grade gum arabic must meet purity standards set by bodies such as the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC) or the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), covering parameters like moisture content, optical rotation, ash content, and absence of microbial contaminants. Technical-grade material used in printing inks or adhesives does not require these food-safety certifications but may carry a different duty classification. Importers should obtain a certificate of analysis from the supplier confirming the applicable grade.
Because production is geographically concentrated in a narrow belt across Sudan, Chad, and neighboring countries, buyers face exposure to weather-driven yield variability, political instability, and export-policy changes from a small number of source countries. Procurement professionals often maintain safety stock, diversify across multiple certified suppliers within the region, and monitor harvest-season reports to anticipate price and availability shifts.
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| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRANCE | $6.2M | -- | -$6.2M |
| UNITED KINGDOM | $609K | -- | -$609K |
| GERMANY | $456K | -- | -$456K |
| THAILAND | $375K | -- | -$375K |
| CANADA | -- | $289K | +$289K |
Monthly import values over time