Gum Arabic Export from Nigeria Explained: Prices, Process and Value

Gum arabic — tapped from acacia trees across the arid north — is a quietly valuable export used in soft drinks, confectionery, pharmaceuticals and printing. Nigeria is a leading producer, and it sells in dollars, tying collectors’ income to the naira via the exchange rate.

From farm to export

• Tapping and collection — gum harvested from acacia trees.
• Cleaning and grading — sorted by quality for buyers.
• Export — sold to food and industrial buyers in dollars.

Why dollars matter to farmers

Gum arabic is a global commodity priced in dollars, so a collector’s naira earnings move with the price and the exchange rate — the same economics as sesame export. It also supports livelihoods in dryland communities, with value-added grading a real opportunity.