The International Aloe Science Council (IASC) estimates raw material sales of aloe vera as currently US $70–90 million globally with 35% growth expected in the next five years. The United States is by far the single largest supplier with 60% to 65% of total sales. Latin America constitutes another 20% to 25% and Asia and the Pacific Rim (Australia, China and India) together make up 10% of the market. The total sales value of processed derivatives and ingredients has been estimated by the IASC to be US $1 billion per year in the mid 1990s and has grown continuously since that time. Trade in finished products containing aloe ingredients is estimated to be over $35 billion globally.

High quality aloe vera gel containing 0.5% to 1.3% solid material currently sells for $1.25 and $1.95 per kg (wholesale price) as non-concentrated pure juice. Whole leaf extract (0.95% to 2% solid matter) is available for $2–4. Usually 10x to 40x concentrated gel is supplied. Powder (200 x concentrate) sells for $225–305 per kg.

The major markets for aloe vera and its extracts are Australia, the United States and entire Europe. Cosmetic, food, beverage and dietary supplement industries have a share in the aloe market. Until recently the topical use of aloe gel in cosmetics and skin care products has been emphasized, but the oral use of aloe vera in the form of health juices and liquid supplements has had a market boom in recent years.

Aloetic juice processed either into crystalline or powdered form now called aloe ‘bitters’ is available for use in the food and beverage industry. Aloe vera was highlighted in 1557 new product launches worldwide by 27,000 global aloe industries with a total turnover of US $33 billion in 2001. The use of the gel has been approved in the United States for the treatment of leukemia in cats, fibrosarcoma in dogs, for wound healing in humans and to dry drysocket (alveolar osteilis) in humans.

In India aloe is grown commercially in almost all parts for its high demand in cosmetic industries as well as in Indian systems of medicine. Aloe, commonly known as ‘Musabbar’ is a reputed purgative in the indigenous system of medicine. Three varieties of aloes are official in the Indian pharmacopoeia.

• Curacao aloe obtained from A. barbadensis;
• Socotrine aloe obtained from A. perryi;
• Cape aloe from A. ferox and its hybrids.

The leaf juice forms an important constituent of a large number of Ayurvedic preparations. It is also used in veterinary medicine.

About four species have been introduced in India of which A. barbadensis has become naturalised in almost all parts of the country, the other species also growing wild in some places. Aloe is known as ghasckumar in the Unani system of medicine and as ghritakumari in the Ayurvedic system. Of the four species introduced and found in India, A. barbadensis has established itself in almost all parts of the country. A. barbadensis, var. chinensis is common in Maharashtra, Kamataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. A. barbadensis’ var. littoralis is found on the beach shingle in Tamil Nadu up to Rameswaram. Another variety which thrives on the Saurashtra coast is the source of Jafarabad aloe.

Aloe vera is traded in processed forms such as gel, juice and concentrate.