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The paper described the recent changes in local marketing patterns of Gum arabic in Kordofan, Sudan. The study depended heavily on secondary data sources including market records and documents. Primary data were collected via structured questionnaires based on stratified random sampling technique. A set of research tools encompassing descriptive statistics, linear regression and Kurskal - Wallis Test were used. The findings revealed that local marketing patterns of Gum arabic at central, urban and rural levels have experienced several changes throughout the investigated period. The infrastructures, services and market information were subjected to significant (P ≤ 0.01) improvements, particularly at the central markets (e.g. Elobeid and Enuhud). The trend with regard to of number of the Gum arabic stakeholders at Elobeid Central Crops Market expressed different tendencies; number of registered companies revealed slight increase (R² = 0.38), number of traders showed sharp decline (R² = 0.51) and number of producers' agents remained unchanged. By this, the market seems to favor more existence of downstream stakeholders than upper stream ones. Concerning Gum arabic prices at Elobeid Crops Market (2000-2015), a sharp increase (R² = 0.66) encountered by using nominal market price based on local currency (SDG), while a moderate increase (R² = 0.29) prevailed when using shadow exchange rate based on foreign currency (US$). On the other hand, the price of the commodity at Enuhud Crops Market (2003-2015) demonstrated an overall increasing trend (R² = 0.86) at local currency. Setting of Gum arabic prices at rural, urban and central markets showed different scenarios of pricing mechanisms including compromising between sellers and buyers, real auctioning, and determination of prices solely by buyers. The market fees and taxes per quintal resulted in significant differences (P≤ 0.01) between central, urban and rural markets. With regard to post harvest, handling and quality aspects, the findings indicated that some progress has been realized recently in central markets particularly in using electronic balances, start adopting certification process and improving grading and packing procedures. The paper was concluded with some frameworks, which might play a major a role in market reforms.

Gum arabic, North Kordofan, Stakeholders, Infrastructure, Prices, Market information

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