Market research

Locust beans market in Asia

Release date: Mar 28, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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"Asia" region includes following countries:

China

Hong Kong

Japan

North Korea

South Korea

Macao

Mongolia

Afghanistan

Bangladesh

Bhutan

Sri Lanka

India

Iran

Maldives

Nepal

Pakistan

Brunei Darussalam

Myanmar

Cambodia

Indonesia

Laos

Malaysia

the Philippines

Timor-Leste

Singapore

Vietnam

Thailand

Kazakhstan

Kyrgyzstan

Tajikistan

Turkmenistan

Uzbekistan

Azerbaijan

Armenia

Bahrain

Cyprus

Georgia

Palestine

Iraq

Israel

Jordan

Kuwait

Lebanon

Oman

Qatar

Saudi Arabia

Syria

Turkey

the United Arab Emirates

Yemen

Earlier Report Observations

Production of locust beans in Asia expanded consistently from 19 924 t in 2018 to 29 577 t in 2022, before stabilizing at 29 028 t in 2023. Market volume, calculated as production plus net imports, rose from 22 595 t in 2020 to 33 675 t in 2023, with a particularly sharp increase of over 20% in the final year.

The surge in market volume in 2023 was primarily fueled by a jump in imports to 9 354 t. This growth aligns with increasing consumer demand for natural and clean-label ingredients across the Asia Pacific food and beverage sector, which has driven the locust bean gum market. Major suppliers like CP Kelco and Carob S.A. focused on capacity expansion and partnerships to meet this demand, pulling more raw beans into the regional supply chain.

Regulatory developments also played a role, as the European Commission's authorization of migratory locust as a Novel Food in late 2021 potentially influenced trade patterns for related products. Furthermore, industry consolidation continued with Tate & Lyle's acquisition of CP Kelco in 2024, signaling sustained investment in the ingredient supply chain.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2020-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2020-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2020-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Asia
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Asia in kind, 2018-2023, t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in kind, 2020-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to China by countries, 2020-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2020-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in value, 2020-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to China by countries, 2020-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2020-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to China, 2020-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to China by countries, 2020-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in kind, 2020-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to China by countries, 2020-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2020-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to China in value, 2020-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to China by countries, 2020-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2020-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to China, 2020-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to China by countries, 2020-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in kind, 2020-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from China by countries, 2020-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2020-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in value, 2020-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from China by countries, 2020-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2020-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from China, 2020-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from China by countries, 2020-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in kind, 2020-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from China by countries, 2020-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2020-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from China in value, 2020-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from China by countries, 2020-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2020-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from China, 2020-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from China by countries, 2020-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2020-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production locust beans in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of locust beans, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of locust beans, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Locust bean production in Asia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Asia produced 23 323 tons of locust beans, marking an 11.7% year-over-year rise. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually decreased by 14.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 19 924 tons, which also saw the largest decline of 27.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(27.0%)	4.8%	11.7%	(5.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports locust beans from Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the observed period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 723 tons, while the highest occurred in 2017, resulting in a peak-to-trough ratio of 3.1 times. In 2020, locust bean exports from Asia reached 3 937 tons, up 23.4% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 68.1%, followed by the largest increase in 2019 at 85.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(68.1%)	85.1%	23.4%	(10.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt dominated exports in kind, accounting for 70.0% of total flows, while the remaining share was distributed among various smaller destinations.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Asia's locust bean export value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 3 613 thousand US dollars, down 12.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 26.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(10.5%)	(5.7%)	(12.8%)	(9.7%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, the United Kingdom, and Germany were the principal buyers of locust beans from Asia in value terms. Egypt accounted for 57.8% of exports, the United Kingdom for 5.8%, and Germany for 4.0%, collectively representing 67.6% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Asia in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports locust beans to Asia

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 382 tons, while the highest was in 2017, with volumes varying by 9.1 times between these years. In 2020, Asia's locust bean imports reached 3 209 tons, representing a 131.2% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 89.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(89.0%)	0.5%	131.2%	(36.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

Data from 2017 to 2020 indicate that imports in kind of locust beans to Asia were not highly concentrated. Algeria accounted for 27.1% of imports, Spain for 7.9%, and Sudan for 2.0%, jointly representing only 37.1% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Asia's locust bean import value amounted to 7 601 thousand US dollars, up 6.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 13.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 7 929 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 18.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 10.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Asia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	18.4%	(10.1%)	6.7%	4.3%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, Algeria, and Italy were the primary suppliers of locust beans to Asia in value terms. Spain accounted for 44.8% of imports, Algeria for 27.6%, and Italy for 2.4%, collectively representing 74.8% of total import value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Asia in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io