Carob Sector in Spain and Portugal
Spain and Portugal are the two largest producers of carob in Europe and most likely in the world. In both countries, production is concentrated in certain coastal areas; the flesh of the fruit and especially the carob gum obtained from the seed is exported to the world through a developed processing industry.
In this article, we discuss the production regions in Spain and Portugal, the garden structure, the functioning of the processing industry, foreign trade figures and issues such as theft, drought and garden renewal that have come to the fore in recent years.
Why Does the Iberian Peninsula Stand Out in Carob?
Carob is a drought-tolerant but frost-sensitive tree native to the Mediterranean climate. The east coast of Spain and the southern coast of Portugal offer ideal conditions for this tree: dry and hot summers, mild winters and a climate tempered by the sea. A review published in the Turkish Journal of Botany combines data from FAO, the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA) and the Italian Statistical Institute (ISTAT) to show Spain as the world's first producer with an average annual production of 44,114 tonnes and Portugal as the second producer with a share of about 23 percent in the period 2012–2021.
It is not only the production volume that makes these two countries stand out. In both countries, carob has a centuries-old trade tradition and today a processing industry oriented towards the international market. Gum (E410) obtained from carob seeds, broken and powdered products obtained from fruit flesh have an important place in the exports of the two countries.
However, this leadership is overshadowed by a long-term decline. According to the same review, Spain's production was reported as approximately 420 thousand tons in 1945, while according to MAPA data, it decreased to 48,756 tons in 2021. The authors cite the aging of groves, the absence of renewal programs and the scarcity of new plantings as the main reasons for the decline.
Spain: Valencia to the Balearic Islands
In Spain, carob cultivation is concentrated in the Valencia Region (Comunitat Valenciana), the Balearic Islands and Catalonia. In Spanish, the fruit is called "algarroba", and in Valencian and Catalan it is called "garrofa"; the kernel and the gum obtained from the kernel are also known as "garrofín" in the sector.
Production size
For the total production of Spain, sources give different figures, which reflects the general problem of carob statistics:
- Scientific review based on MAPA data: 48,756 tons in 2021
- Industry news for 2024 of the Fruit Attraction fair in Madrid: 60–80 thousand tons of whole fruits per year, about 45 thousand hectares
- Statement by Valencia's regional agriculture minister in 2025: 60–70 thousand tons per year throughout Spain
According to information shared by the Valencia regional government in 2024, the region has the largest carob area in Spain with 16,200 hectares; with an annual production of 18–20 thousand tons, it meets approximately 30 percent of national production. The regional government organizes courses and workshops to revive carob cultivation and organizes events promoting the use of carob flour in baking.
Garden structure and transformation
The bulk of carob areas in Spain consist of old orchards in traditional, dry farming conditions. According to Fruit Attraction's 2024 report, in the last two decades, the fertile area; has decreased due to dismantling, competition with more profitable products and construction along the coastline, which has narrowed the supply.
The same source also tells that a transformation has begun in the sector. Some nurseries propose to establish gardens that are planted more frequently, irrigated and yield earlier instead of old dry agricultural gardens. According to the news, while the traditional carob tree bears fruit in 8-10 years, it is aimed to reduce this period to approximately 3 years in new systems; it is aimed to increase the yield of 3-4 tons per hectare in traditional orchards much higher. In the news, the name "Duraió" is mentioned among the female varieties, and it is recommended to mix hermaphrodite varieties as pollinators into the garden. It is stated that these studies are carried out in cooperation with the association of carob innovative companies (EiG) in Spain.
A comprehensive review of the botanical, horticultural and genetic resources of carob was also published in Horticultural Reviews by Spanish researchers Tous, Romero and Batlle. This study shows that the variety and cultivation knowledge of the sector is largely based on research in Spain.
Portugal: The "Black Gold" of the Algarve
Carob production in Portugal is almost entirely concentrated in the Algarve region in the south. In Portuguese, the fruit is called "alfarroba". In the local press, carob is often compared to the "black gold of the Algarve".
Production and area
The Portugal series in FAOSTAT clearly shows how large the yield fluctuation is from year to year. According to official data, production was 64,895 tons in 2014 and 34,398 tons in 2015; estimated values for 2016 and 2017 (around 40-41 thousand tons) were published, after which no Portuguese data was entered into FAOSTAT.
Reports in the Portuguese press also confirm this fluctuation. According to a 2022 report by SIC Notícias, approximately 30 thousand tons of carob were produced in the Algarve in 2021; the region has been identified by producers as providing about a quarter of world production, with a decrease of up to 40 percent expected in the next harvest due to drought.
From citrus to carob
The transformation in the Algarve is not new. According to a 2005 report by the Lusa agency, producers in the region had begun to convert part of their orange groves to carob because they wanted less water and care and their prices were more stable. In the same news, based on the regional directorate of agriculture, it is reported that the carob area in the Algarve was estimated at approximately 93 thousand hectares for that year; a significant part of this area is made up of orchards mixed with other crops, such as almonds.
Local varieties
A 2024 compilation by researchers from the University of the Algarve counts Mulata, Galhosa, Aida, Canela, Spargale and Lagoinha among the local varieties of the region. According to the same study, the sugar and phenolic substance content in the fruit flesh of these varieties differs markedly depending on the variety and soil type. The compilation also draws attention to another important point: storage and processing facilities generally do not separate incoming fruits according to origin or variety.
How Does the Machining Industry Work?
In both countries, the carob economy revolves around the two main components of the fruit: the pulp and the seed. According to the University of the Algarve review, the flesh makes up 80–90 percent of the fruit weight, while the kernel makes up 10–25 percent; however, the most valuable products of the fruit are obtained from the kernel.
The typical flow is:
- Harvest (mainly August–September)
- Collection of fruits in merchant warehouses
- Separation of kernel from fruit flesh in crushing plants
- Classification of fruit flesh as broken (kibble) and powder
- Separation of nuclei into shell, endosperm and embryo in gum factories
- Production and export of carob gum (E410) from endosperm
The University of the Algarve compilation states that the harvested fruits are usually taken to small industrial units that separate the seed from the fruit flesh. In the 2005 news of Lusa, it is mentioned that two factories processing seeds in the Algarve are mentioned and it is stated that almost all of the seed products are exported, while the remaining share in Portugal is very small. It is also stated in the news that one of these factories has been acquired by a multinational food ingredients company; this shows that the carob gum industry is intertwined with international companies.
On the fruit flesh side, its usage areas are wide. News in the Portuguese press; It counts products such as sweets, biscuits, cakes, liqueurs, syrup, bread and animal feed. The seed is the raw material of the range used in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and textile industries.
Spain and Portugal in Foreign Trade
FAOSTAT's foreign trade data, updated in July 2026, clearly reveals the weight of the two countries in the carob trade. World exports in the "Locust beans (carobs)" item are approximately 32,872 tons in 2024; of this, 13,323 tons came from Spain and 5,860 tons from Portugal. In 2022, Spain's exports were 22,140 tons, while Portugal's was 11,782 tons.
| Indicator (FAOSTAT) | Spain | Portugal |
|---|---|---|
| Exports 2022 (tons) | 22.140 | 11.782 |
| Exports 2023 (tons) | 15.969 | 3.794 |
| Exports 2024 (tons) | 13.323 | 5.860 |
| Imports 2024 (tons) | 6.489 | 517 |
The striking point in the table is that Spain is also an important importer. In 2024, it is the world's largest importer of carob with 6,489 tons. This shows that the Spanish processing industry is not only satisfied with local fruits but also buys raw materials from other countries. The large difference in Portugal's exports between years also suggests that the yield fluctuation is directly reflected in foreign trade.
In the Portuguese press, Japan is referred to as one of the main export markets for the local carob industry. Lusa's 2005 report also states that its kernel processors export to Europe, China, Japan and the USA.
Current Issues: Price Increase, Theft, and Drought
In recent years, carob prices have skyrocketed in both countries, raising an unexpected problem: theft. In Valencia, it was reported that 632 tons of stolen carob were seized in an operation by regional police in 2020, and warehouses operating without permission were identified. The news stated that carob prices have increased nearly quintupively in recent years. Another report in 2022 stated that since September 2021, 19 people have been arrested for the theft of carob, which exceeded 65 tons in the province of Valencia alone.
There was a similar picture in Portugal. According to Lusa's 2022 report, carob seizures in the Algarve doubled in the January-July period compared to the same period of the previous year, with theft complaints rising from 20 to 73. Producers had demanded a legal regulation that would link the purchase and sale of carob to an official registration system. The news also emphasized that prices have increased many times over a few years.
Drought is a common risk for the two countries. Although carob is a drought-resistant tree, prolonged lack of rainfall can significantly reduce yields. The expected decrease of up to 40 percent in the Algarve news in 2022 is the most concrete example of this.
These developments have two important consequences for the sector: First, when the supply of raw materials shrinks, buyers turn to alternative supply regions. Second, traceability and certified trading have become a matter of legal assurance, not just quality.
What Does It Mean for Turkey?
The experience of Spain and Portugal is also a guide for the carob sector in Turkey. Despite declining domestic production, the industry in the Iberian Peninsula maintains its place in the market thanks to its advanced processing capacity, international company partnerships and deep-rooted customer relations. Turkey, on the other hand, is one of the few countries that has increased its production in the last decade, according to FAOSTAT data.
Here are the key points for Turkish manufacturers and processors in this table:
- The raw material needs of processors in Europe create opportunities for countries that supply with regular quality
- Recording variety, origin, and batch information increases buyer confidence
- Garden renovation and modern cultivation are the basis for long-term security of supply
- Processing capacity is decisive in value-added products such as cores and gamuts
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does carob grow the most in Spain? In the Valencia Region, the Balearic Islands and Catalonia. Valencia is the region with the largest area, with 16,200 hectares.
Where does carob grow in Portugal? Almost entirely in the Algarve region to the south.
How do Spain and Portugal rate carob? The fruit flesh is used as broken and powder in the food and feed industry, and the seed is used in the production of carob gum. A significant part of the products are exported.
Does Spain import carob? Yes. According to FAOSTAT data, Spain is the world's largest importer of carob in 2024, with 6,489 tons.
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Domestic resources
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org/ 10. 55730/ 1300- 008X. 2748 Foreign sources
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Faostat. FAO. org/ production/ Trade_CropsLivestock_E_A... Correia, P. J., Pestana, M., "Sugars and phenols in carob tree fruits from different producing countries: A short review", Heliyon, 10(10), e30922, 2024. doi.
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