The sugar substitutes market is predicted to reach USD 24.3 billion by 2028, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.2% during the forecast period. By 2023, the market is expected to be worth USD 18.8 billion.
The prevalence of lifestyle diseases such as cancer, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and heart disease is increasing globally, posing a significant public health threat. Non-communicable diseases cause more deaths than all communicable diseases combined, responsible for 41 million deaths annually. An unhealthy and imbalanced diet is a significant contributor to metabolic diseases. Modern eating habits, especially excessive consumption of free sugars in sugar-sweetened beverages, increase the overall calorie density of the diet without providing essential nutrients, leading to unhealthy weight gain, oral diseases, obesity, and non-communicable diseases.
The high-intensity sweeteners segment is projected to have the largest market share in the sugar substitutes market, with a CAGR of 6.2% between 2023 and 2028. The market is driven by the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, increasing demand for low-calorie sweeteners, health benefits provided by sugar substitutes, and rising demand for natural and environmentally friendly alternatives to regular sugar.
The beverage segment is expected to have the highest growth during the forecast period, with a CAGR of 5.4% in the sugar substitutes market. According to research by Deakin University, per capita consumption of non-nutritive sweeteners in beverages has grown by 36% globally between 2007 and 2019, including both synthetic sweeteners like aspartame and acesulfame-k and natural alternatives like stevia and monk fruit.
The liquid segment is anticipated to grow rapidly, with a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period. Liquid sugar substitutes are highly soluble and sweeter than sucrose, making them increasingly suitable for use in food and beverage production. The market is driven by increasing demand for healthy yet flavorful beverages and food products, consumer demand for healthier lifestyles, and the need to address the rising incidence of diabetes, obesity, and other metabolic diseases linked to high caloric intake.
Europe’s sugar substitutes market size was USD 3.3 billion, and it is projected to grow with a CAGR of 4.7% between 2023 and 2028. Key players in the market include International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (US), ADM (US), Tate & Lyle (UK), Ingredion (US), and Cargill, Incorporated (US).
