Carob Demand in the Middle East and Gulf Countries
Carob is not a foreign product to the Middle East; the natural distribution area of the tree also includes Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan and Egypt. The most visible face of demand in the region is the carob drink called "kharoub", which comes to iftar tables during Ramadan, and Lebanon's deep-rooted carob molasses tradition.
In this article, we discuss the consumption habits in the region, the snack carob trade from Turkey to Arab countries, and the extent to which FAOSTAT foreign trade data reflects this picture. We also clearly state the limits of the figures, providing a practical framework for exporters.
Carob is a Native Product of the Middle East
To understand the demand for carob in the Middle East, it is necessary to first look at the tree's connection to the region. According to a comprehensive review by Dahmani et al., published in the journal Plants in 2023, the carob tree grew wild in Turkey, Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, southern Jordan, Egypt, Arabia, Tunisia, and Libya before reaching the western Mediterranean. In other words, for the people of the region, carob is not a "superfood" introduced from outside, but a familiar fruit that has been on the table for generations.
The same review also gives examples of traditional uses in the region. It is stated that carob pods are widely used in cakes, cookies, drinks and various snacks in Egypt today. It is reported that pods and seeds find a place in folk medicine in Palestine, and that carob juice has traditional uses in Tunisia. These traditional uses do not mean scientific health evidence; however, they show how deep-rooted the product has a cultural equivalent in the region.
This deep-rooted acquaintance is an important advantage in terms of trade. The buyer's knowledge of the product, knowing its taste and knowing how to use it in advance; It ensures that carob is positioned in the Middle East market as a "well-known product that should be found in the right quality" rather than being a "new product that needs to be explained".
Carob Drink at the Ramadan Table
The most prominent seasonal peak of demand in the region is the month of Ramadan. Carob drink, known as "kharoub" (خروب) in Arabic, is defined as a traditional drink widely consumed in Egypt and the Levant (Eastern Mediterranean coastal countries), especially during Ramadan.
Sources from different countries convey this tradition as follows:
| Egypt | In the compilation of Ramadan drinks published in Egyptian Streets in 2022, kharoub is counted among the cold traditional Ramadan drinks. In its preparation, carob pods are soaked in water overnight, then boiled with the same water for about an hour; it is stated that the drink has a thicker consistency than other drinks. |
| Palestine | In a 2017 report by NPR, it was reported that carob juice (kharoub) is the preferred drink of Ramadan in Palestine, according to Dima Al Sharif, a Palestinian chef living in the United Arab Emirates. |
| Lebanon | In a 2016 report by Lebanese television LBCI, it is stated that this drink made from carob molasses is purchased by the people of Tripoli, especially during Ramadan. |
Preparation methods also vary from country to country. In Egypt, a longer method is described in which the pods are broken and roasted, combined with caramelized sugar and boiled with water, while in Lebanon, a practical method is used in which carob molasses is diluted with water. In the Middle East Eye's Ramadan drinks article, it is written that carob juice, which is popular in Lebanon, Palestine and Egypt, can be prepared by adding a tablespoon of carob molasses and a teaspoon of brown sugar to a glass of water and sprinkling pine nuts on it.
It is also necessary to draw attention to a common confusion here. "jallab", another famous drink of Ramadan in the Levant, is made from dates, grape molasses and rose water, according to the same writing; that is, it is not a carob drink. It is important not to confuse the two products in export negotiations in order to understand the demand for the right raw material. For its equivalent in Turkish cuisine and its preparation at home What is Carob Sherbet (Carob Sherbet)? You can take a look at our article.
Molasses Tradition in the Levant: The Case of Lebanon
Lebanon stands out as both a producer and a processor in the region. In the compilation of Dahmani et al., it is stated that carob molasses obtained from ripe fruits is used as a sweetener in Lebanon. It is understood from the scientific literature that molasses is produced on an industrial scale beyond the domestic scale: In 2017, Bahry et al. examined the production of second-generation bioethanol from solid waste from the preparation of carob syrup in the Lebanese food industry in the journal Bioresource Technology.
An interesting data on Lebanon's weight on the production side is included in a value chain report prepared in Turkey. In the 2018 report prepared by the Life Dair Foundation as part of the UNDP-supported project, it is stated that Lebanon ranks first with 91 kg in seed (fruit) production per tree for 2013, followed by Cyprus with 53 kg and Turkey with 47.5 kg.
The Western Mediterranean Development Agency's (BAKA) feasibility report from 2024 shares a similar observation about the region: the report states that in some countries, such as Egypt, carob syrup, which is made by extracting carob grains with water, is a popular beverage. This information indicates that demand in the region is largely centered around beverages and liquid products such as molasses.
Gulf and Arabian Peninsula: Carob for Snacks
The demand in the Gulf countries and Saudi Arabia can be better understood with information from the field. The report of the Foundation on Life is based on interviews with collectors, intermediaries, processing plants and exporters in Gazipaşa and Gülnar and is valuable in this respect.
The remarkable findings in the report are as follows:
- It is stated that carob from Turkey is exported in forms such as whole fruits, seeds and powders to EU countries such as Italy, Spain, Germany, England and Greece, as well as to Middle Eastern and African countries such as Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Lebanon.
- It is stated that the buyers associated with export companies are mainly EU countries, Arab countries and the USA, and that the exported carob is mostly high quality and snack.
- It is reported that carob with a high honey content and snack is generally sent to Arab countries, and carob used for industrial purposes is sent to European countries.
The statement of a processing plant representative in the report summarizes the nature of this demand: It is said that the product went to Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and that in Mecca and Medina, the people took carob home "like dates". This is a field interview, not a statistical measurement; however, it suggests that a significant part of the demand in the Arabian Peninsula is for the sweet and fleshy fruit that is consumed directly, rather than as an industrial raw material.
The same report also explains the criterion that determines the quality of snacks: Carob, which is white on the inside and has plump flesh, is reserved for snacks and changes hands between the peasant and the spice seller at a price that is about 500 percent higher than other qualities. According to the report, carob collected from regions below 300 meters has little sweetness and a dark inner color, while above 450 meters much higher quality fruits are obtained. For a supplier working for the Gulf market, this clearly shows why product selection and classification are decisive.
What Does Trade Data Show?
It is not easy to measure demand in the region with numbers. In FAO's FAOSTAT database, foreign trade in carob is tracked under the item "Locust beans (carobs)". The table below shows the import amounts of some countries from this item in the July 2026 edition of FAOSTAT.
| Country/Region | 2019 (tons) | 2022 (tons) | 2024 (tons) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egypt | 2.811 | 1,667 (estimated) | 2,482 (estimated) |
| Jordan | 108 | 146 (estimated) | No data |
| Kuwait | 2 | 2 | No data |
| United Arab Emirates | No data | No data | 59 (international organization data) |
| West Asia total | 214 | 148 (estimated) | 61 (estimate) |
This table contains surprisingly small figures at first glance. In the same data set, world total imports appear as 30,547 tons for 2024; that is, the share of West Asia is very limited in this item. Egypt, on the other hand, stands out as both an importer and an exporter in the region; In FAOSTAT, Egypt's exports in 2019 are listed as 16,618 tons with an official value, while the values of the following years are marked as estimates.
When interpreting these figures, it is necessary to keep these limitations in mind:
- The item in FAOSTAT is related to carob pod; processed products such as molasses, powder, gum and sherbet concentrate are monitored in different customs items.
- For Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman, there does not appear to be a significant import record for recent years in this item; this may not mean that there is no trade, but that it is not reported under this item.
- Some values are not official notifications, but estimates of FAO or international organizations.
- There is no export record of Turkey in this item of FAOSTAT; Turkey's foreign trade of carob is monitored through different sub-items.
Therefore, official data do not show the entire demand in the region, but only the recorded part of the raw pod trade. When read together with the snack and molasses trade in the field reports, it can be said that the Middle East demand is a demand shaped by product type and quality rather than volume.
Factors Shaping Demand
The main factors that determine demand for a supplier working for the Middle East and Gulf market can be summarized as follows:
1. Ramadan calendar
The identification of carob drink with Ramadan suggests that the demand for molasses and beverage raw materials intensified during this period. Since the month of Ramadan is determined according to the Hijri calendar, it shifts forward in the Gregorian calendar every year; therefore, shipment planning must be done again every year. For retailers who stock up before the holiday, it is important that the product is on the shelves before Ramadan begins.
2. Product type
Uses in the region; It is concentrated around molasses for beverages, snack fruit consumed directly, and broken pods suitable for making beverages on a home scale. On the industrial side, carob powder and range are part of the general raw material needs of food manufacturers.
3. Taste and quality expectation
As the field report reports, carob sent to Arab countries is expected to have a high honey content and snack quality. Sweetness, flesh ratio and inner color directly affect the price in this market.
4. Certification
In markets with a large Muslim population, halal certification is a basic expectation for most buyers. Regarding certificates Certificates in Carob Products: Organic, Halal, Kosher We discuss it in our article.
Practical Notes for Exporters
The following topics can help to establish a healthy communication with the recipient in region-oriented studies:
- It should be clarified from the beginning whether the buyer will use the product as a beverage, molasses, snack or industrial raw material.
- It should be distinguished that the demand for "kharoub" is related to carob and the demand for "jallab" is related to a product based on dates and grapes.
- Quality criteria such as sweetness, flesh ratio, inner color and insect damage should be defined in the technical specification for snack products.
- Production, packaging and shipment schedules for Ramadan orders should be planned early.
- The labeling and documentation requirements of the destination country should be confirmed with the buyer prior to ordering.
Frequently Asked Questions
In what form is carob most commonly consumed in the Middle East? Sources mostly highlight beverages (kharoub), molasses and dried fruit forms that are consumed directly. It is reported that pods are also used in cakes, cookies and snacks in Egypt.
Why is carob drink identified with Ramadan? Sources state that kharoub is widely consumed in Egypt and the Levant, especially during Ramadan. The tradition of refreshing drinks at iftar tables forms the background of this demand.
How much is carob export to Gulf countries? It is not possible to answer this question with an exact figure. Records for Gulf countries in FAOSTAT's pod item are very limited; molasses and other processed products are monitored in different items. Field studies indicate that carob for snacks was sent to Saudi Arabia.
Is Jallab made from carob? Jallab is a separate Levant drink prepared with dates, grape molasses and rose water, according to sources.
Carob to the Middle East Market with Carob Türkiye
Demand in the Middle East and the Gulf; It is shaped by different product types, from sweet and fleshy snack fruit to beverage molasses raw material, and the selection of the right quality product is decisive in this market. As Carob Türkiye, we supply carob fruit, crumbs, flour/powder, seeds and extracts. Carob Fruit, Carob Kibble (Granular) and Carob Extract You can review our pages, for your wholesale and export requests. Contact Now You can contact us on our page. If you are wondering about the general properties of molasses What is Carob Molasses and How is it Made? You can also take a look at our article.
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