Stevia herb’s threat to sugar market

Global concerns over growing obesity is driving a backlash against sugar, with major food suppliers turning to zero-calorie stevia as an alternative. Stevia leaf extracts are up to 300 times sweeter than sugar
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Stevia market (tonnes)

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni
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Dec 2008: Stevia gets U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval

2009  2,710  $100m

2010  3,500

2011  3,650  

Nov 2011: European Commission grants regulatory approval for use of stevia extracts

2012 3,850

2013 4,100

2014 4,670

2012-14: Price of raw sugar falls from 26 cents per pound to 16-17 cents

2014 market value (est.) $336m 

2017 7,150 

2017 predicted market value $578m
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Major food suppliers using stevia products 
 
PepsiCo: Uses sugar-stevia sweetener in its Pepsi True

Coca-Cola: Releasing stevia - sweetened Coca-Cola Life 

GLG Life Tech: Canada’s GLG is to team up with Chinese food giant COFCO to develop stevia-based products
 
Merisant Co: Market leader in France with its Pure Via stevia sweetener

Tate & Lyle: UK-based firm has launched zero-calorie sweetener

Imperial Sugar: Produces low- calorie sugar-stevia sweeteners

Sources: Zenith International, Mintel, International Sugar Organization

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