GLOBAL MARKET OF GUAR GUM

Guar Gum Global Market

Guar is largely consumed as a vegetable in the Indian subcontinent. It is also used in making pickles. 25000 tons of the total production in the country constitutes to the domestic market. Guar gum has a vast range of industrial applications and the major share of demand comes from various industrial sectors only.

It has become the major cash crop for Indian economies. India contributes 80% of guar gum production out of the world’s total production of guar gum which figures out to 6 lakh tons. The major importing countries of guar gum and its derivatives are USA, Germany, Italy, China, Denmark, France, UK, Netherlands, Japan and South Africa.

India is the leading net exporter of guar seeds and guar gum. The country exports over 117000 tons of guar and its derivatives, which is comprised by 33000 tons of refined split guar gum, and 84000 tons of treated and pulverized guar gum. The net worth of the Indian exports is estimated over Rs 500 crores. The major importing countries of Indian guar products are

• United States of America (12000 tons)
• Germany (5200 tons)
• France (1800 tons)
• United Kingdom (1200 tons)
• South Africa (1000 tons)
• Netherlands
• Italy
• Japan

Guar is basically a crop that is cultivated mostly in the arid and semi arid areas as it is drought resistant. That is why the Southern Asian continent suits well to the cultivation of this crop especially the Indian subcontinent. The powder made after refining the gum obtained from the plant makes an important raw material in many industries. This powder has some unique characteristics like grease resistance, thickening agent, capacity to bind water, high viscosity and the capability to function in low temperatures which makes it a highly popular in those sectors. Among other by- products of guar, guar gum powder is the main marketable commodity.

The world’s total production of guar figures around 7.5 to 10 lakh tons of guar every year. The production list of guar is dominated by India as a leading producer of this crop. The consumption pattern of guar seeds is largely influenced by the demands from the petroleum industry of United States of America and the oil fields in the Middle East as the derivative products of these seeds are quite useful in the petroleum drilling industries. United States alone constitute to around 40 thousand tons of guar and its derivatives demand. Also, in rest of the world, the trend of consumption has increased with time that has lead to the introduction of this crop in many countries.

India is also the world leader in the exports of guar and it’s by-products followed by Pakistan. The major countries indulged in the exports of guar gum are India, Pakistan, USA, Italy, Morocco, Spain, France, Greece, Germany.

The world market of guar is estimated at 1.5 lakhs tons annually. The major importer countries of the crop are Canada, China, Chile, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Germany, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, USA, Ireland, Sweden, Greece, Portugal, Mexico.

Market Influencing Factors:

• Changes in production due rainfall fluctuation
• Demand and supply mismatch
• Hoarding and black marketing
• Government policies

Guar Gum – a Natural Thickening Agent     

     

Among various natural agro products, guar gum occupies a very important place, as it is a rich source of high quality galactomannan polysaccharide. Guar Gum is extracted from guar seeds grown in a plant about 4 feet high known as guar plant. This guar plant is grown in India and Pakistan sown in July and harvested in October. The seeds from this plant are allowed to dry in sun. After drying the seeds in the sun, they are separated and processed into a flour which is known as guar gum powder. The guar gum splits are also sold as they have many uses in various industries. The processing technique of guar gum depends on the requirement of the end product. The guar gum powder has more thickening ability than cornstarch. It not only works as a thickener but also works as binder and plasticizer as well. Guar gum is easily soluble in water and has a natural ability to bind with water molecules. Without a binder likeguar gum, different ingredients in might separate into watery mess as far as creamy processed foods are concerned.

Uses and Benefits of Guar Gum:

                    

Besides industrial extraction of guar gum from the plant, it is also used as the green vegetable and cattle feed. Guar gums such as hydrolysed, hydroxyalkyl, carboxyalkyl, oxidised, sulphated, borated, cationic and various combinations of these are commercially useful for a number of industrial applications. Guar Gum has many health benefits too. Taking guar gum with the meals can help in lowering blood sugar for diabetes patients. It also helps in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The thickening properties of guar gum have made it a popular additive in products like puddings and ice creams. Guar gum creates a sense of fullness in the stomach and so it is also used in diet pills. Guar gum has many advantageous properties due to which it has become most used thickening agent in the industries like paper and pulp industry, cosmetics industry, textiles, personal care, health care, pharmaceuticals, food, animal feed etc. The Guar Gum seeds is very useful in petroleum and drilling industry due to which the seeds are highly demanded in the petroleum industry of USA and the oil fields in the Middle East. Guar gum powder has many versatile uses in Industrial applications. Especially for industrial applications, guar gum is processed in such a way that fast hydration and cold water viscosity is obtained. Fast hydration guar gum powder is extensively used for oil drilling, explosives and other industrial applications where quick hydration and immediate high terminal viscosity is needed. Fast hydration guar gum powder for oil drilling applications is the most important use of guar gum as oil and gas, are the two most important pillars of modern industry and our way of life.

Guar Gum is mainly used:

• Natural thickener
• Emulsifier
• Stabiliser
• Bonding agent
• Hydrocolloid
• Gelling agent
• Soil Stabiliser
• Natural fiber