Europe: Carob Market 2024

Carob Market Size in Europe

The Europe carob market shrank modestly to $X in 2021, falling by -2.1% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Carob Production in Europe

In value terms, carob production soared to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production decreased by -26.6% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 78% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2021 were Portugal (X tons), Italy (X tons) and Spain (X tons), together comprising 87% of total production.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Portugal (with a CAGR of +4.4%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average carob yield shrank slightly to X tons per ha in 2021, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the yield increased by 31%. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X tons per ha. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of the carob yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2021, approx. X ha of carob were harvested in Europe; leveling off at the year before. Overall, the harvested area, however, showed a slight slump. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the harvested area stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Carob Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2021, approx. X tons of carob were exported in Europe; surging by 7.2% compared with 2020. Total exports indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +31.4% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 54% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, carob exports shrank slightly to $X in 2021. In general, exports recorded a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 42%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then contracted modestly in the following year.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Spain (X tons) represented the key exporter of carob, creating 59% of total exports. Portugal (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 30% share, followed by Italy (7.1%).

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Spain (with a CAGR of +7.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

In value terms, Spain ($X) remains the largest carob supplier in Europe, comprising 53% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Portugal ($X), with a 20% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Spain totaled +9.5%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Portugal (-2.7% per year) and Italy (+3.5% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -9% against the previous year. Export price indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, carob export price increased by +54.0% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 an increase of 26%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2020, and then reduced in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while Portugal ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+1.5%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Carob Imports

Imports in Europe

After two years of growth, overseas purchases of carob decreased by -41.8% to X tons in 2021. Overall, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 45% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020, and then dropped significantly in the following year.

In value terms, carob imports surged to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, saw a strong increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 52%. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the eight major importers of carob, namely Italy, Switzerland, Spain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Russia and Germany, represented more than two-thirds of total import.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Russia (with a CAGR of +3.3%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Switzerland ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported carob in Europe, comprising 77% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Spain ($X), with a 4.5% share of total imports. It was followed by Italy, with a 4.3% share.

In Switzerland, carob imports expanded at an average annual rate of +24.5% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Spain (+6.3% per year) and Italy (+3.0% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 109% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a strong expansion. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($X per ton), while France ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Switzerland (+23.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform