Baobab is a superfood with growing global demand; that’s bad news for the sacred African tree

Baobab trees grow in arid and semi-arid parts of Africa, and have deep cultural and ecological significance. Some of these trees are thousands of years old. Global demand for baobab products has surged in recent years, driven by the fruit's nutritional and health benefits. However, this growing demand has become a double-edged sword, raising concerns about the sustainability of these ancient trees. Patrick Maundu, who is part of a research project to document the heritage of the baobab tree in Kenya, explains what can be done to protect the tree for future generations. The tree is native to at least 37 countries in Africa and two in the Arabian Peninsula. The African baobab (Adansonia digitata) is the most widespread of the eight known baobab species. It endures in some of the harshest conditions, from salty water-bathed ocean shores to vast dry savannahs and forests. Of the rest of the baobabs, six are native to Madagascar, and one to northern and western Australia. Baobabs are ...