Strategic input
Gum arabic
An essential emulsifier for beverages, confectionery and pharmaceuticals, with Sudan supplying the majority of world demand.
Country Profile — Arab-America International Expo 2027
Profile content in preparationRepublic of the Sudan
Gum arabic, gold and the Nile.
The world's dominant supplier of gum arabic, with vast arable land along the Nile, significant gold production and a Red Sea coastline on a principal global shipping lane.
Country at a glance
- GDP
- ≈ $29 billion (nominal)
- Population
- ≈ 50 million
- Currency
- Sudanese Pound (SDG)
- Capital
- Khartoum
- Economic growth
- Sharp contraction reported
Statistics year: 2023 (latest verified full-year data)
Official Sudanese statistical reporting has been interrupted by the ongoing conflict. Figures shown are the most recent verified international estimates; more recent official data is not available and no projections have been substituted.
Overview
Agricultural potential and irreplaceable exports
Sudan supplies the large majority of the world's gum arabic, an ingredient with no practical substitute in soft drinks, confectionery, pharmaceuticals and printing — making it a strategic input for American food and beverage manufacturers.
The Nile and its tributaries give Sudan some of the largest tracts of arable land in Africa, historically supporting sorghum, sesame, cotton, groundnuts and livestock exports.
Gold has become the leading export earner, and Port Sudan sits on the Red Sea shipping lane between Suez and the Indian Ocean.
- Capital
- Khartoum
- Population
- ≈ 50 million (2023 estimate)
- Language
- Arabic and English
- Currency
- Sudanese Pound (SDG)
- Global gum arabic share
- Estimated 70–80% of world supply
- Main port
- Port Sudan on the Red Sea
- Arable land
- Among the largest endowments in Africa
- Data status
- Latest verified year: 2023
Economy
Agriculture, minerals and a disrupted macro picture
Sudan's productive base is agricultural and mineral. Macroeconomic data is incomplete because of the conflict, and only verified prior-year figures are shown here.
0%
Share of world gum arabic
Estimated global supply share
0M
Population
2023 estimate
0M+
Livestock herd
One of the largest in Africa
0M ha
Arable land
Largely uncultivated potential
Gum arabicDominant global supplier
Gold & mineralsLeading export earner
Livestock & meatExports to Gulf markets
Sesame & oilseedsMajor global sesame exporter
Sorghum & cerealsStaple production along the Nile
CottonHistoric Gezira scheme
Priority sectors
Sectors with structural international demand
Categories where Sudanese supply matters to global buyers regardless of the domestic situation.
Export
Sesame & oilseeds
Sudan is one of the largest sesame exporters in the world, supplying Middle Eastern and Asian processors.
Agriculture
Livestock & meat
Large-scale live animal and chilled meat exports to Gulf markets, with room for processing investment.
Minerals
Gold & mining
Significant artisanal and industrial gold output, plus chromite, iron ore and manganese deposits.
Potential
Irrigated agriculture
The Gezira scheme and Nile irrigation potential for cotton, wheat and horticulture at scale.
Logistics
Red Sea logistics
Port Sudan's position on the Suez–Indian Ocean route gives long-term transit relevance.
Recovery & development
Restoring agricultural exports and services
Recovery priorities focus on restoring agricultural export chains, humanitarian and health infrastructure, and the functioning of Port Sudan.
- 1925
Gezira scheme
One of the world's largest irrigation projects begins operation between the Blue and White Nile.
- 2020
US sanctions relief steps
Sudan removed from the US state sponsors of terrorism list, reopening banking channels.
- 2023
Conflict disrupts reporting
Statistical publication and export logistics are severely interrupted.
- —
Recovery horizon
Restoring agricultural export capacity and port operations remains the central economic priority.
Major development projects
Development priorities
The programmes that would restore and expand Sudan's export capacity.
Gum arabic value chain
Cleaning, grading, kibbling and spray-drying capacity to export processed rather than raw gum.
Gezira scheme rehabilitation
Restoring canals, pumps and inputs across one of the largest irrigation systems in the world.
Port Sudan capacity
Handling, storage and cold-chain investment at the country's principal maritime gateway.
Livestock export facilities
Quarantine stations, abattoirs and cold chain to raise value capture on meat exports.
US – Sudan trade
A strategic supplier to American manufacturers
Gum arabic is the defining element of the US–Sudan trade relationship: American beverage and food companies depend on Sudanese supply.
Top exports to the world
Gold
Gum arabicStrategically critical globally
Sesame & oilseeds
Livestock & meat
Top imports
Food & wheat
Fuel & refined products
Machinery & equipment
Medicines & medical supplies
Leading products to the United States
- Gum arabic
- Sesame seed
- Hibiscus and specialty crops
Leading products from the United States
- Wheat and food commodities
- Medical and humanitarian supplies
- Agricultural machinery
- Communications equipment
- American food and beverage manufacturers rely on Sudanese gum arabic
- One of the world's leading sesame exporters
- Verified data shown for 2023; more recent official statistics are unavailable
Bilateral goods trade — 2024
Trade with the United States
Verified full-year bilateral merchandise trade between Sudan and the United States, reported from Sudan's perspective.
Latest verified data available
Total U.S. goods trade
$160.0M
2024
Exports to the United States
$60.0M
2024
Imports from the United States
$100.0M
2024
Trade balance
$40.0M
Deficit for Sudan
2024
Exports vs. imports — 2024
Sudan exports to the United States$60.0M
Sudan imports from the United States$100.0M
Exports to the US Imports from the US
Bilateral goods trade with the United States is small and dominated by gum arabic exports and humanitarian and food imports. The ongoing conflict severely limits commercial flows and statistical reporting.
Scope of these figures
Latest verified data available; conflict has disrupted both trade flows and national statistical reporting. These figures represent merchandise trade only and do not include services.
Data source
- U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Division — country trade data (full year 2024)
- UN Comtrade Database
Statistical year: 2024
Leading exports to the United States
- Gum arabic
- Oilseeds and agricultural products
- Hides and skins
Leading imports from the United States
- Humanitarian and food aid goods
- Machinery parts
- Medical supplies
- Wheat and cereals
Culture & tourism
The pyramids of Kush
Sudan has more pyramids than Egypt, along with Red Sea reefs and Nile archaeology.
River Nile State
Meroë pyramids
Over 200 steep-sided royal pyramids of the Kingdom of Kush.
Northern State
Jebel Barkal
A sacred mountain and temple complex central to Kushite kingship.
Red Sea
Sanganeb & Dungonab
A coral atoll and bay with exceptional marine biodiversity.
Khartoum
Nile confluence, Khartoum
Where the Blue and White Nile meet to form the main Nile.
Why invest
Why Sudan matters to international business
Irreplaceable agricultural exports and one of Africa's largest untapped farming endowments.
01
Strategic commodity
Gum arabic has no viable substitute at scale and Sudan supplies most of the world's output.
02
Agricultural land
Tens of millions of hectares of arable land along the Nile system.
03
Livestock scale
One of the largest herds in Africa serving Gulf demand.
04
Red Sea position
Port Sudan sits on one of the busiest shipping corridors in the world.
At the Expo
Sudan at AAIX 2027
The Sudan pavilion focuses on agricultural export supply chains and diaspora-led enterprise.
- Gum arabic and sesame supply-chain meetings with US buyers
- Agri-processing investment briefings
- Sudanese-American business network sessions
- Livestock and food-security partnership introductions
World heritage
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sudan
Sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, a core part of the country's cultural and tourism offer.
Gebel Barkal and the Sites of the Napatan Region
Temples, palaces and pyramids of the Napatan and Meroitic kingdoms.
Archaeological Sites of the Island of Meroe
The heartland of the Kingdom of Kush with hundreds of pyramids.
Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay
A Red Sea coral atoll system of global ecological importance.
Business opportunities
Opportunities for Arab and American companies
How companies from different markets can engage with Sudan through the Expo.
For American companies
Secure gum arabic and sesame supply chains, and invest in processing that raises quality and traceability.
For Arab companies
Food security investment in irrigated farming and livestock, with export routes through the Red Sea.
For international investors
Agri-processing, cold chain and port logistics offer the clearest long-term returns as conditions stabilise.
Represent Sudan at Arab-America International Expo 2027
Present your country's economy, industries, products, investment opportunities, tourism destinations and culture to the American and North American markets.
Reserve space in the Sudanese pavilion, or register as an American buyer to secure agricultural supply and meet exporters.
Sources & data
- Central Bank of Sudan (latest published data)
- Sudan Central Bureau of Statistics (2023)
- FAO commodity assessments
- World Bank World Development Indicators
- IMF World Economic Outlook
- U.S. Census Bureau / USTR trade statistics
- UN Comtrade
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre
Last updated: August 2026