Top Locust Bean Producing Countries

The locust bean, also known as carob (Ceratonia siliqua), is predominantly farmed in Mediterranean countries, with Spain, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, and Greece being the world’s top producers. The cultivation of locust bean dates back thousands of years, with its origins in the eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, where it was valued for its edible pods and use as animal fodder. Ancient civilizations such as the Greeks and Romans spread the tree throughout their empires, recognizing its drought resistance and nutritional value. Over centuries, carob farming expanded across North Africa and southern Europe, becoming integral to regional diets and economies. Today, locust bean is prized globally for its use in food products, particularly as a natural thickener and cocoa substitute, with Mediterranean countries leading both in traditional cultivation and commercial production.

Data from United Nations FAO Stat