The global natural sweeteners market size is estimated to be valued at USD 2.8 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 3.8 billion by 2025, recording a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period. Sugars and sweeteners are the substances used to enhance the palatability and shelf life of food products. However, conventional sugar may possess various ill-effects on human health. Thus, the development and formulation of natural sweeteners was pursued.
Moreover, the sugar-substitutes utilized in various end-use industry applications are mainly of two different types: natural and artificial. The natural type of sugar-substitutes or natural sweeteners, as popularly known, is gaining immense traction in the global market. These sugars occur naturally in many plant foods. Most common sweeteners are obtained or manufactured by processing an array of plants, including agave cacti, maple trees, sugar cane, coconut palms, sugar beets, and corn to extract and condense the sugars.
By type, the stevia segment is expected to experience the fastest growth in the global natural sweeteners market, on the basis of type, in 2019. The sweet-tasting components of stevia are called steviol glycosides, which are naturally present in the stevia leaf. There are eleven major steviol glycosides present in stevia. These are the sweet components isolated and purified from the leaves of stevia. Out of these eleven steviol glycosides, stevioside and rebaudioside A are the most abundant steviol glycosides.
The North American market accounted for the largest share in 2019. The North American region is projected to dominate the global market due to factors, such as the busy lifestyle of consumers, prevalence of chronic diseases due to their hectic lifestyles, and an increase in awareness among consumers regarding the health benefits of reduced sugar foods & beverages and other products.
Asia Pacific region is projected to witness a higher growth rate during the forecast period. The natural sweeteners industry in the Asia Pacific region is growing due to the change in the lifestyle of customers and the increase in health consciousness among consumers. The market in this region is witnessing a dramatic transformation regarding diet diversification, rapid urbanization, and liberal trade policies in the food sector.
Furthermore, a rise in consumer awareness about health issues, an increase in inclination of consumers toward health-benefiting food products, and a surge in income and purchasing power are the major factors offering growth opportunities for natural sweeteners manufacturers in the market in the region. The fast-growing countries in the region are India and China due to the increase in urbanization, the rapid rise in household incomes, and the change in lifestyles of consumers in the country.
Leading companies are DuPont (US), ADM (US), Tate & Lyle PLC (UK), Cargill (US), Ingredion Incorporated (US), Roquette Frères (France), FoodChem International Corporation (China), PureCircle Ltd (US), MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc (Merisant) (US), Ecogreen Oleochemicals Pvt Ltd (Indonesia), Pyure Brands LLC (US), Stevia Hub India (India), Suminter India Organics (India), Stevia Biotech Pvt Ltd (India), The Real Stevia Company (Sweden), Sweetly Stevia USA (UK), XiliNat (Mexico), Fooditive B.V. (Netherlands), Saganà Association (Switzerland), and Hearthside Food Solutions LLC (US).
