The carob pod is used as animal feed or carob powder is extracted for human consumption. There are about 13 processors worldwide who produce LBG, and half of them operate in Spain. The world demand for LBG requires 35,000t of carob seed per year. The different grades of LBG depend upon the amount of seed coat present. Potential for Australia Carob has been intermittently explored over the last 20 years as a potential tree crop industry in areas of Australia with less than 700mm rainfall per year.
Carob appears to offer considerable potential as an opt ion.
Recent trials in South Australia also suggest that carob can be mechanically harvested using standard nut and fruit harvesters. Small-scale processing of carob pulp for human use already occurs in Australia. If a critical mass of carob production was established in one region, kibbling may become viable, since it would not require a large capital investment. However, processing for technical grade LBG or above, would require a more substantial capital inve stment. The author wishes to thank Mark Hogan and his employer, Uncle Bens of Australia, Wodonga, Victoria for their continuing support.