- Locust bean gum prices stayed mostly firm in Q1’26 as Mediterranean carob availability remained sensitive to weather and crop collection conditions.
- Feedstock pressure came from carob seed availability, with Spain and Portugal remaining important supply bases for carob-derived gum.
- Downstream demand stayed steady from dairy, bakery, sauces, frozen foods, and clean-label formulations.
Locust bean gum prices showed a stable to slightly upward trend in Q1’26, mainly supported by steady demand and cautious supply conditions. The main upstream factor was carob seed availability from Mediterranean countries, where weather conditions such as heavy rainfall and strong winds affected harvesting and kept supply sentiment tight. This limited aggressive selling and supported prices. On the demand side, consumption remained stable as locust bean gum continued to be widely used in dairy products like ice cream, as well as in bakery fillings, sauces, dressings, and clean-label food formulations. Buyers maintained regular purchasing but avoided large stockpiling due to sufficient inventory levels. Trade flows remained active, with steady movement of goods between exporting regions; however, by the last month of the quarter, some logistical disruptions were witnessed amid the partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Overall, the locust bean gum price curve fluctuated in a narrow range during the first quarter of 2026.