The Crops Market or Stock Exchange in El-Obaid, is one of the city's main economic landmarks, and is the world's largest stock exchange for exporting gum arabic, from the Hashab tree. The market was established in 1907 after gum arabic became a sought-after commodity in various industries. In its beginnings, the market was an open area surrounded by a small fence. It is currently near the railway, but originally was located where it is now occupied by Kordofan Cinema, Bank of Khartoum, and some other markets.

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As for Sudan, the Crops Market in Kordofan is one of the largest crop markets in the western region of the country where various agricultural, forestry, and horticultural crops, which are brought from different climatic regions, are sold.

This archival footage, produced in the 1960s, shows the journey of the hibiscus plant from the ground until it reaches the crop market and auction. This video was shown on the Golden Memory program, which was broadcast on Sudan TV.

Other than hibiscus and gum arabic, other agricultural crops sold in the market are peanuts, white and red sesame, watermelon seeds or tasali, millet, cowpeas, okra and fish. Forest products include tamarind, laloub (fruit of the soapberry tree), dom (fruit of the doum palm), nabag (lotus jujube), gongolez (baobab), and gudem (grewia tenax). Horticultural crops include fruits such as mangoes and guavas, and a variety of vegetables including tomatoes, cucumbers and marrows, which are grown in nearby areas such as Al-Banjdid and Al-Rahad around Al-Rahad Lake. Some canned foods such as oils, tomato puree, peanut butter and tahini are also sold in the market.