Entering the European market for acacia gum

Compliance with European regulations is essential in order to access the European market. Consistency of quality is vital for buyers. Sustainability and traceability are essential, so transparency about your supply chain is crucial. Sudan, Chad, Mali, and Senegal are the most significant European Acacia gum market suppliers. However, your biggest competition might come from European companies with vertically-integrated processing  in Africa.

1. What requirements and certifications must Acacia gum meet to be allowed on the European market?

You can only export Acacia gum to European Union (EU) members if you comply with the applicable EU requirements. For a complete overview of these standards, refer to our study on buyer requirements for natural food additives or consult the specific requirements for your product in Access2Markets by the European Commission. 

Buyer requirements can be divided into:

1. Mandatory requirements: legal requirements you must meet to enter the market;
2. Additional requirements: those you need to comply with to stay relevant in the market;
3. Niche requirements: apply to specific niche markets.

What are the mandatory requirements?

When exporting to Europe, you must comply with the legally-binding requirements of the EU. The most crucial requirements are related to food safety. To enter the European market, you must comply with several regulations that guarantee safety, including:

• General Food Law: This law mainly sets traceability, hygiene, and control requirements. Compliance with this legislation ensures that food additives are safe for consumption and that legal limits for food contaminants are not exceeded.
• Regulation (EC) 1333/2008 sets the rules on food additives, including definitions, conditions of use, labelling and procedures.
• Regulation (EU) 231/2012 provides E-numbers and has specifications for the use of extraction solvents in the production of approved food additives, including Acacia gum (E414). In 2017, EFSA re-evaluated the safety of Acacia gum, and the outcome in 2019 showed that it is generally safe to use as a food additive.

Official border control for Acacia gum imported into the European Union

Official food controls include regular inspections that can be carried out at point of import or at all further stages of marketing. In case of non-compliance with European food legislation, individual cases are reported through the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feeds (RASFF), which is also freely accessible to the general public.

Be aware that repeated non-compliance with European food legislation by a particular country might lead to special import conditions or even the suspension of imports from that country. Those stricter conditions include laboratory tests for a certain percentage of shipments from specified countries. The New Official Controls Regulation will extend its scope to organic products. 

Contaminants control in Acacia gum. The European Commission’s Regulation sets maximum levels for specific contaminants in food products. Buyers will expect you to comply with increasingly stringent food safety requirements. Food safety issues include microbiological (bacteria, moulds), physical (plastic residues, metal, dirt), and chemical contamination. The specification sets for Acacia gum are given in the table below. 

Table 1: Purity requirements for Acacia gum

Source: Eur-lex.europa.eu, 2024

The European Union has set maximum residue levels (MRLs) for pesticides in and on food products in Regulation 396/2005. Products containing more pesticide residues than allowed will be withdrawn from the European market. The European Union regularly publishes a list of approved pesticides authorised for use. This list is frequently updated.

Contamination with heavy metals can be an issue for Acacia gum, particularly if it comes from regions with high levels of environmental pollution. Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury can be present in the soil and water, potentially contaminating the Acacia gum during production. Table 1 gives the requirements for the maximum level of heavy metals in Acacia gum.

Microbial contamination can be an issue for Acacia gum, especially if it is not processed or stored properly. High moisture content and inadequate storage conditions can lead to microbial growth. To reduce this risk, Acacia gum is often processed through spray drying, which helps reduce microbial contamination and improves its solubility. Proper storage conditions, such as keeping it in a dry and cool environment, are essential to maintaining its quality and safety.

Labelling

In Europe, Acacia gum is commonly labelled ‘Acacia Gum’ or ‘Gum Arabic’. These names are recognised under EU regulations for food additives and dietary fibres. Because acacia gum is also recognised as a dietary fibre in Europe, the product can be labelled ‘Acacia fibre’. Food and drink products labelled as ‘Acacia fibre’ are mainly found in France, accounting for 15% of all products that include Acacia gum; the remaining is labelled as gum Arabic. 

Figure 1: Examples of products in France and the UK labelled as Acacia gum

Source: Mintel GNPD, 2024

To export your Acacia gum to the European market, you must comply with the EU’s labelling requirements outlined in the EU’s food additives and flavourings legislation. Whether or not your Acacia gum is intended for sale to the final consumer determines the labelling requirements with which you must comply. This is outlined in Chapter IV – labelling, under Articles 21, 22 and 23 of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. You must comply with the labelling requirements that apply to your situation, depending on whether your Acacia gum is intended for sale to the final consumer.

In addition to the EU’s mandatory labelling requirements, European buyers of Acacia gum may have additional labelling requirements, such as a specific language and measurement units. English is generally the preferred language for labelling, and European measurement units are kilogrammes.

When exporting Acacia gum to Europe, the label must include specific information to comply with European Union regulations. Acacia gum is generally considered safe for use in various applications. However, it is important to handle it properly to avoid issues like dust formation. Here are the key elements that should be on the label:

• Product Name: Clearly state “Gum Arabic” or “Acacia Gum” or “Acacia fibre”.
• Type of Gum Arabic: Specify whether it is from Acacia Senegal or Acacia Seyal.
• Net Weight: Indicate the weight of the product.
• Batch Number: Include a batch number for traceability.
• Manufacturing Date: Provide the date of manufacture.
• Country of Origin: State the country where the Acacia gum was purchased.
• Supplier Information: Include the name and address of the manufacturer or supplier.
• Handling Instructions: Any special handling or storage instructions.
• Compliance Marks: Include marks for organic or other relevant certifications if applicable.

Because Acacia gum is recognised as a fibre, consumer products may also carry nutrition claims such as “source of fibre” or "high in fibre". In Europe, these claims are “source of fibre” (3%) or “high in fibre”(6%), depending on the dosage of the Acacia gum.

Packaging requirements

For exporting crude or processed gum Acacia (gum Arabic) to Europe, the most common package sizes and materials are designed to protect the product from moisture and contamination.

Common package sizes:

• 25kg bags: This is the most common size for crude and processed gum Arabic.
• 50kg bags: Used for larger quantities, though less common than 25kg bags.
• Fibre drums: Typically used for bulk quantities, ranging from 50kg to 200kg.

Common packaging materials:

• Polyethylene-lined multi-wall paper bags are ideal for packaging Acacia gum powder and granules. They provide moisture resistance and durability during transportation.
• Laminated woven polypropylene bag: This bag is suitable for packaging kibbled Acacia gum. It provides excellent moisture protection and is resistant to tearing and punctures.
• Fibre drums with polyethylene liners: Used for larger quantities. Stable and robust, with the added advantage of being stackable.

Additional considerations:

• Sealing techniques: Heat sealing is commonly used for polyethylene-lined and laminated woven bags to provide an airtight and moisture-proof seal. Fibre drums often use lids with polyethylene gaskets for an airtight seal.
• Vacuum or nitrogen packing: Acacia gum can be vacuum-packed or nitrogen-flushed before sealing to protect against moisture and oxygen.
• Sustainability: Consider using recycled and/or recyclable packaging materials, as environmental sustainability is becoming increasingly important for European buyers. For information and guidance on how to reduce environmental impacts, read this guide on packaging.

What additional requirements and certifications do buyers often have?

Buyers demand proof of your product’s safety and that it meets quality and sustainability requirements before they buy from you. If European companies or authorities find out that the safety of your product cannot be guaranteed, they will take the product off the market.

Documentation 

European buyers of Acacia gum expect exporters to provide them with well-structured and organised product and company documentation, which helps prove that you meet their requirements, such as specific quality specifications. You must, therefore, provide buyers with documentation. Always ensure your documentation is up to date and easy to provide.

European buyers of Acacia gum usually expect exporters to provide them with Safety Data Sheets (SDS), Technical Data Sheets (TDS) and Certificates of Analysis (CoA). An SDS includes information such as the properties of the Acacia gum, the physical, health, and environmental health hazards, protective measures, and safety precautions for handling, storage, and transportation of the product. A TDS is a specification sheet for a product and summarises the technical characteristics of the product. A CoA outlines all the tests performed on a product before it is shipped to a customer.

Review these examples of a Safety Data Sheet and a Certificate of Analysis for Acacia gum. Doing so will give you a greater understanding of what documentation buyers expect.

Food safety and quality requirements for Acacia gum

European buyers can have different quality requirements depending on the type of ingredient and its use. European buyers test their products, usually per batch, to ensure they meet their quality standards and are not polluted or contaminated. European buyers will generally also analyse the composition of your gum to determine whether it is Acacia gum from Acacia Senegal or Acacia Seyal.

European buyers require Acacia gum of a consistent quality and consistency. They generally prefer Acacia gum with a light colour and a minimum odour. If the Acacia gum is light and has a minimum odour, it does not affect the appearance of the food or drinks they produce with it. European buyers often prefer to use other ingredients to change colour or smell if necessary.

For European buyers, gums must be 100% natural (i.e. not adulterated through the addition of any chemicals) and 100% pure (i.e. not mixed with any other gums that have similar characteristics). Importers regularly analyse products for adulteration.

European buyers often demand certification to demonstrate the safety and quality of the Acacia gum they buy. The world’s major food retailers are increasingly requiring certification to GFSI-recognised standards. The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) recognised standards for audits and certification include FSSC 22000 and ISO 22000.

Figure 2: Examples of food safety system certification standards

Source: Standards websites, 2024

Sustainability requirements

EU legislation increasingly pressures European buyers to ensure their supply chains are transparent and traceable. Therefore, when selecting product suppliers, they demand a transparent supply chain. Buyers want guarantees that the product they buy matches the product’s specifications and can be traced back to the source. 

Buyers expect their suppliers to provide them with all the necessary information. It is common practice that buyers require their suppliers to follow and sign their supplier codes of conduct. Such codes are based on, for instance, the Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code. It focuses on issues such as human rights and fair working conditions. See this supplier declaration of the Norevo code of conduct for an example.

Exporters need to have information on production and labour practices and environmental issues. Implementing an environmental management system, such as ISO 14001, will help you improve environmental performance through more efficient resource use and waste reduction.

Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (SEDEX) is another standard commonly used by European buyers. SEDEX principles assess and audit suppliers. Becoming a SEDEX-certified member can be advantageous, especially if you wish to supply larger companies.

What are the requirements for niche markets?

Consumer demand for products produced under environmentally and socially-sustainable conditions is growing in Europe. For example, regarding social sustainability, in recent years, there has been growing consumer demand for ethically-produced products. Figure 3 shows this trend in Europe based on the number of food and drink product launches with a claim related to sustainability. This trend is expected to continue. 

European environmental sustainability and sustainable growth are made clear in the Circular Economy Action Plan and the European Green Deal. This ethical and sustainable demand is also applicable to Acacia gum. Acacia gum companies like Nexira and Alland & Robert collaborate with other companies to run sustainability programmes like reforestation projects. 

Organic certification

According to Mintel GNPD data, which tracks all food and drink product launches in retail, the share of organic products has reached an average of 17%. There is growing consumer demand for organic products in Europe. Like the total consumer food and drink products market, organic Acacia gum is also growing. Rising awareness about organic products' health benefits and sustainability is driving this trend. 

Organic certification for Acacia gum is an additional benefit for accessing the European market. It demonstrates that the product meets a certain quality standard and allows you to use this certification as a selling point when approaching prospective European buyers. Acacia gum must comply with organic EU regulations to be traded as organic. After obtaining organic certification, European buyers often request a certificate of inspection (COI); a mandatory EU requirement for any organic ingredient traded on the European market.

Source: Mintel GNPD, 2024

Figure 4: EU Organic logo

Source: European Commission, 2024

2. Through which channels can you get Acacia gum on the European market?

Acacia gum is mainly imported into the European market through importers and processors, who supply most of the food and beverage industry. Acacia gum is widely used in products like confectionery, snacks, and bakery items, representing 60-70% of its uses. Some food manufacturers buy directly from European processors, while others rely on distributors for specific countries. 

How is the end-market segmented?

Acacia gum has a wide range of uses, with approximately 60-70% used in the food industry. In the food and drinks industry, most consumer products that include Acacia gum are found in confectionery (chocolate, sugar, and chewing gum), snacks (savoury snacks and cereal bars), and bakery products. Non-food applications include pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, printing, adhesives, and textiles.

Source: Mintel GNPD, 2024

Through which channels does a product end up on the end-market?

Food manufacturers mostly purchase their Acacia gum through importers, which often include processors and blenders. However, some companies buy directly from European-based processors with local African operations. These processors also rely on distributors to supply specific countries. Due to their significant market share, it is assumed that most food and drinks companies source Acacia gum from vertically-integrated European processors.

Figure 6: Market channels for Acacia gum

Source: Profound, 2024 

Producer

Producers are the first agents in the Acacia-gum value chain. Their main functions are to collect, dry, package and deliver the product to the next processor or trader in the value chain. Their activities included cultivation, tree tapping, harvesting and drying. Some producers are members of farmer-based organisations. In general, producers are small, low-income farmers who lack resources. Production skills may vary across and within countries in Africa. Insufficient production and marketing skills are some of the causes of low productivity and output in several producing countries, including Burkina Faso, Kenya, Niger, South Sudan and Uganda. Transaction costs and the availability of market information are key for the producers to determine where and how much product they can sell. 

Trader

The role of traders is to connect producers to markets and create economies of scale in developing countries. While Acacia gum producers are generally small and lacking in resources, traders collect volumes from individual producers and sell them in bulk to processors or exporters. They may also add value to the product by cleaning, sorting, grading, transporting, and storing it, which is usually done at regional or terminal market level. Local traders generally sell their products to regional traders, who sell them to processors or exporters. 

Exporter 

Most exporters interact directly with foreign buyers and are typically located in large cities, far from forests and plantations. However, they may have agents in villages closer to the production sites. In Sudan, exporters are typically based in Port Sudan and Khartoum; in Chad and Senegal, they are based in the capital cities. Some exporters, like Asiyla Gum in Senegal, are vertically integrated. They have their plantations and cleaning and sorting facilities. 

After buying the Acacia gum from traders, exporters must refine the cleaning and grading of the product to ensure that shipments meet international standards. After this final cleaning and grading, the product is further  crushed, bagged and put into containers to be sent through customs. Exporters must ensure that shipments pass the required inspections and that the required certificates are obtained from the competent government authorities.

Processor 

Most high-grade processing occurs outside Africa, especially in Western Europe and North America. 

The level of processing in most countries in the African gum belt is minimal, except for Sudan and Senegal, where the domestic-processing sector has become increasingly important. The increase in the number of processing facilities in Sudan has boosted competition for crude gum, translating into higher prices paid to local traders and producers.

Some industrial users may also purchase unprocessed or semi-processed Acacia gum. This is often the case among larger manufacturers with the grinding, filtration, and spray-drying equipment necessary to process their own. 

ProFound – Advisers In Development carried out this study in partnership with Monique van der Wouw of Wouw Food Market Analysis on behalf of CBI.

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