Key facts
- India exported US$569 million of guar gum in FY2024-25 (apeda.gov.in).
- Largest destinations by value: unavailable for FY25 in sources fetched
- 1 production cluster mapped, in Rajasthan (~70%); Haryana; Gujarat.
- Market guides for 15 countries, each with destination requirements and transit times.
- Certifications available from the supply base: FSSAI licence, APEDA RCMC, HACCP, ISO 22000, FSSC 22000 and more.
- Typical minimum order: One 20' container (about 18-20 MT) (typical).
Product overview
India produces around 80% of the world's guar and dominates guar gum exports. APEDA reports FY2024-25 exports of US$ 569 million (453,651 t). Guar is a rainfed crop of Rajasthan (about 70% of output), Haryana and Gujarat; Jodhpur is the main processing hub for splitting, grinding and derivatisation.
Guar gum is a galactomannan used as a thickener and stabiliser. Demand has two pillars: food (dairy, bakery, sauces, pet food, E412) and industry - above all hydraulic fracturing in US shale oil and gas, plus textiles, paper, mining and explosives. Oilfield demand makes prices cyclical and tied to US rig activity.
Products are specified by viscosity (cps at a set concentration and time), mesh size, hydration rate and, for food grade, microbiology and residues. Guar gum's history with pentachlorophenol (PCP) and EtO contamination means EU food buyers demand full testing.
HS note: Guar splits are often under 1302 32 or 1212; guar meal (korma/churi) as animal feed is 2308. Modified guar derivatives may fall under 3913.
Specifications
| Viscosity (1%, 25 °C, Brookfield) | 3,000-8,000 cps food grade; 4,500-6,000+ cps fast-hydration oilfield (typical) |
|---|---|
| Moisture | ≤ 12% (typical) |
| Mesh | 100-200 mesh (typical) |
| Protein / ash / AIR | ≤ 5% / ≤ 1% / ≤ 4% (typical) |
| Microbiology (food) | TPC ≤ 5,000 cfu/g; E. coli and Salmonella absent (typical) |
| Contaminants | EtO and PCP not detected for EU food grade |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
Food grade (E412)
For dairy, bakery, sauces, beverages and pet food.
Fast-hydration oil-drilling grade
For hydraulic fracturing fluids.
Industrial / textile / paper grade
Printing paste thickener, paper sizing, explosives.
Guar splits
Dehusked endosperm halves for grinding at destination.
Guar meal (korma / churi)
Protein-rich by-product for animal feed.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk | 25 kg multiwall paper or HDPE bags | Palletised |
| Jumbo | 500-1,000 kg FIBC | Oilfield grade |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP about 18-20 MT palletised bags · 40' HC about 24-26 MT. Dense powder; weight-limited
Customisation: Viscosity, mesh and hydration rate to specification; derivatised grades
Where we source in India
Producing regions and manufacturing clusters our supplier network draws from.
Rajasthan
Jodhpur, Bikaner, Barmer, Jaisalmer, Hanumangarh
Jodhpur guar split and gum processing cluster; ~70% of crop
Haryana
Bhiwani, Sirsa, Hisar
Guar seed and processing
Gujarat
Banaskantha, Kutch
Guar seed and processing
Market requirements by region
European Union
Guar gum from India has been subject to EU special conditions for pentachlorophenol/dioxins (historic) and was central to the 2020-21 EtO crisis - supply EtO/PCP-tested lots and check the current Reg. 2019/1793 annex.
United States & Canada
USA: the packing facility needs FDA Food Facility Registration, every shipment needs FDA Prior Notice, and the US importer must run FSVP supplier verification. US tariff treatment of Indian goods changed several times in 2025-26 (reciprocal tariffs, product exemptions, a Feb-2026 India-US framework and later court rulings) - verify the current duty for the HTS line before quoting landed cost. The USA is the main oilfield-grade market; demand tracks US rig and frac activity. Food grade needs FDA facility registration.
East Asia
China and Japan buy food and industrial grades.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Quality control
- • Pre-shipment inspection by SGS / Bureau Veritas / Intertek on request
- • Accredited (NABL) lab report for moisture, aflatoxin, pesticide residues and microbials
- • Pre-shipment and loading photographs, container seal record
- • Viscosity and hydration profile per batch
- • EtO and PCP testing for EU food grade
Certifications available
- • FSSAI licence
- • APEDA RCMC
- • HACCP
- • ISO 22000
- • FSSC 22000
- • BRCGS Food Safety
- • ISO 9001
- • Halal certificate
- • Kosher certificate
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • Commercial invoice
- • Packing list
- • Bill of lading
- • Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies)
- • Certificate of analysis
- • Health certificate (food grade, where required)
- • Specification sheet, allergen/GMO statement
Trade data
| Period | Flow | Value (USD mn) | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024-25 | India exportsLine: Guar gum | 569 | verified | apeda.gov.in |
Top destinations: unavailable for FY25 in sources fetched
Export markets
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between food-grade and oilfield guar gum?
Food grade (E412) has strict microbiological and contaminant limits; oilfield grade is optimised for fast hydration and high viscosity in fracturing fluids.
Which viscosity should I specify?
Food applications typically use 3,000-8,000 cps (1% solution); oilfield fast-hydration grades are specified by viscosity at set times.
Is EU food-grade guar tested for ethylene oxide?
Yes - EU-bound food-grade guar is tested for EtO and pentachlorophenol because of past contamination incidents.
How much guar gum does India export?
APEDA reports 453,651 t worth US$ 569 million in FY2024-25.
Why do guar prices fluctuate?
Guar is a rainfed crop and a large share of demand comes from US shale drilling, so both monsoon rainfall and oil-rig activity move prices.
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