Guar and locust bean gum imports in South Africa: data, top suppliers and prices
In 2024, South Africa imported guar and locust bean gum worth $7.6 million (3.2 thousand tonnes). Its share of world imports was 1%. That is 5% more than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 the trade grew strongly, by about 13% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2022, at $16.2 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7.6M | 3.2K t |
| 2023 | $7.3M | 2.2K t |
| 2022 | $16.2M | 2.7K t |
| 2021 | $7.4M | 3.0K t |
| 2020 | $3.9M | 2.4K t |
| 2019 | $5.3M | 2.2K t |
| 2018 | $3.7M | 1.5K t |
| 2017 | $3.2M | 1.3K t |
Where South Africa imports guar and locust bean gum from
India alone supplied 63% of it. Among the main suppliers, Italy grew fastest (+250% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| India | $4.8M | 63% |
| Spain | $1.1M | 14% |
| China | $888K | 12% |
| Italy | $320K | 4.2% |
| Germany | $175K | 2.3% |
| France | $132K | 1.7% |
| Argentina | $61K | 0.8% |
| United States | $55K | 0.7% |
| Hong Kong | $39K | 0.5% |
| Pakistan | $34K | 0.5% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $2.35 per kg, 22% below the world average of $3.02, which often means bulk or lower-grade product.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Guar and locust bean gum exports from South Africa
In 2024, South Africa exported guar and locust bean gum worth $1.5 million (594 tonnes). Most of it went to Zambia (45%), DR Congo (44%), Zimbabwe (4%). Among the main buyer markets, DR Congo grew fastest (+218% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | $692K | 45% |
| DR Congo | $676K | 44% |
| Zimbabwe | $62K | 4.1% |
| Angola | $36K | 2.3% |
| United Kingdom | $18K | 1.2% |
| Namibia | $17K | 1.1% |
| Mozambique | $13K | 0.8% |
| Poland | $6K | 0.4% |
| Eswatini | $4K | 0.3% |
| Nigeria | $4K | 0.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in South Africa?
The shipment records behind South Africa guar and locust bean gum imports (HS 1302.32): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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Mirror data: built from the shipment records of the countries that trade with it.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 1302.32: Mucilages and thickeners: whether or not modified, derived from locust beans, locust bean seeds or guar seeds.
Common questions
What is the value of guar and locust bean gum imported by South Africa?
South Africa imported guar and locust bean gum worth $7.6 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 3.2 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 28th of 163 countries worldwide, with 1% of world imports. The value was up 5% on 2023.
Which countries supply guar and locust bean gum to South Africa?
India was the largest supplier with 63% of the value ($4.8 million), followed by Spain (14%) and China (12%). The top three together account for 89%, out of 17 supplier countries in total. Italy grew fastest among the top ten, up 250% on the year.
What is the average import price of guar and locust bean gum per kg?
The average declared import value was about $2.35 per kg in 2024, 22% below the world average of $3.02 per kg. Declared value divided by weight mixes every grade, so read it as a benchmark rather than a quote.
How have imports of guar and locust bean gum to South Africa changed since 2017?
Imports went from $3.2 million in 2017 to $7.6 million in 2024, an increase of 139%. The peak was 2022 at $16.2 million. Over 8 years the average was $6.8 million a year.
Does South Africa also export guar and locust bean gum?
Yes. South Africa exported $1.5 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Zambia, the DR Congo and Zimbabwe. On balance South Africa is a net importer of this product, by about $6.1 million a year.
What is the HS code for guar and locust bean gum?
The HS code for guar and locust bean gum is subheading 1302.32. It sits in HS chapter 13 (lac; gums, resins and other vegetable saps and extracts). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 1302 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; EximDataX adds the company names by reading partner countries' customs records for South Africa. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World guar and locust bean gum trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for South Africa
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