Trade and Export

Carob Demand in the Middle East and Gulf Countries

02 November 2026 4

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.

Carob in Morocco and North Africa

02 November 2026 5

Morocco is the largest producer of carob in North Africa and one of the major players in the world carob seed trade. Most of the production in the country comes from forest areas; most of the kernels are exported to Europe unprocessed. In Algeria and Tunisia, production is more limited and has declined in the long term.

The Future of the Carob Industry

02 November 2026 3

For many years, carob was seen as a product collected from wild trees and most of it was sold as feed or raw material. Today, the increasing interest in natural products, the search for drought-resistant species and new processing technologies make carob a sector that is being re-evaluated.

Carob Fairs and Sectoral Organizations

01 November 2026 4

Carob products; Since it is traded in many different forms such as fruit, broken (granule), powder, seed, gum and extract, it does not reach its buyers through a single channel. Food manufacturers, ingredient buyers, organic product distributors and market chains come together in different sectoral organizations. For this reason, fairs in carob trade are one of the most effective ways to meet new buyers and strengthen the relationship with existing customers.

Carob Export to the European Union and Legislation

31 October 2026 5

The European Union is both a large consumption market for carob and carob products and one of the regions with the most detailed food safety rules. An exporter sending carob fruit, cracks, powder, seeds or extracts to the EU; It should evaluate the contaminant and pesticide residue limits, official control system and labeling rules together.

Carob Sector in Spain and Portugal

31 October 2026 18

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.

Supply Chain in the Carob Sector: From Garden to Factory

29 October 2026 38

Behind a pack of carob powder or a kilo of carob gum; There is a long chain starting from the forest or garden where the tree is located, passing through the collector, intermediary, crushing plant, gum producer and exporter. Since carob is a product largely collected from natural trees, the first links of this chain work quite differently from other fruits.

Carob Export with Incoterms: FOB, CIF, EXW

29 October 2026 42

What a price offer means in carob exports largely depends on the mode of delivery. There is a significant difference between the ex-factory delivery price for the same product and the price including freight and insurance to the destination port. The rules defining this difference and the responsibilities of the parties are the Incoterms rules published by the International Chamber of Commerce.

Food Safety Certificates: ISO 22000, FSSC, BRC, IFS

28 October 2026 75

The most frequently requested documents from suppliers in international food trade are food safety management system certificates. ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, BRCGS and IFS are the main standards that certify that a business systematically manages food safety risks through independent audits.

Certificates in Carob Products: Organic, Halal, Kosher

27 October 2026 49

Carob products are often sold in the international market with one or more certificates. Organic certification certifies the product's production method, while halal and kosher certifications certify the product's compliance with the relevant religious dietary guidelines. These certifications are an important part of access to specific markets and buyer confidence.

Quality Standards in Carob Exports

26 October 2026 39

When exporting carob, the first thing buyers look at is often not the price, but the quality specification of the product. Humidity, foreign matter, mycotoxins, infestation and microbiological values are the main criteria that determine whether a batch will be accepted or not.

HS Codes and Documents in Carob Exports

25 October 2026 64

For carob exports, the correct customs tariff code (HS Code) and complete documentation are the basic conditions for the product to pass smoothly across the border and reach the buyer on time. Carob fruit, powder, seeds, gum and molasses may be in different tariff positions; misclassification can lead to delay, additional duty and penalty.

Factors Affecting Carob Prices

24 October 2026 61

Carob prices have experienced remarkable increases and fluctuations in producing countries in recent years. There is not a single reason behind these fluctuations; There are many factors that affect each other, such as yield, seed demand, climate, exchange rates, product quality and logistics.

Locust Bean Gum (LBG) World Market

22 October 2026 67

Locust bean gum (locust bean gum, LBG or E410) is a natural thickener obtained from the endosperm of carob seeds and is considered the most valuable product of carob. It has a wide range of uses, from ice cream to dairy products, from pet food to medicines and cosmetics.

Sample and Laboratory Analysis in Carob Trade

22 October 2026 47

The most concrete basis of trust between the buyer and the seller in the trade of carob and carob products is the representative sample and the laboratory analyzes performed on this sample. Moisture, sugar, ash, protein, mineral, HMF and adulteration tests; It becomes part of the specification according to the type of product and its intended use.

Carob Production in the World: Countries and Figures

22 October 2026 75

Carob is a product native to the Mediterranean basin and its production is concentrated in a few countries. Spain, Portugal, Italy, Morocco, Greece, Cyprus and Turkey provide most of the world's production. However, the answer to the question "how much carob is produced in the world?" varies significantly depending on which data source is looked at.

Questions to Ask When Choosing a Carob Supplier

21 October 2026 54

Choosing the right supplier for a business that buys carob and carob products; It determines the quality of the product, consistency between batches, delivery reliability and food safety as well as the price. For this reason, the right questions to ask before working with the supplier prevent many problems that may occur in the future.

Turkey's Carob Exports

19 October 2026 82

Turkey, as a country that produces around 25 thousand tons of carob per year, is also involved in the foreign trade of this product. According to a report based on Trade Map data, Turkey ranked fifth in the world with carob exports of approximately 4.0 million dollars in 2022; Algeria was the largest buyer of exports.

Things to Consider in Carob Wholesale Purchase

18 October 2026 86

Wholesale purchase of carob is very different from retail shopping. Even a small quality deviation in a raw material purchased in large quantities can lead to serious problems and costs on the production line. For this reason, sample, specification, certificate of analysis and delivery conditions are as decisive as the price in wholesale purchasing.