Stevia use likely to increase

According to a recently released survey among the Stevia industry professionals by business research and growth strategy firm KnowGenix, the use of the natural sweetener is likely to increase in food and beverage markets.

Respondents believe that Stevia sweeteners will capture over 50% of Aspartame and Sucralose’s market shares, though the top concerns listed were after-taste and improving Stevia’s general taste profile. Two other possibly limiting factors were lack of regulations on its usage and supply reliability.

Latin America remains the first choice for sourcing Stevia leaves, followed by Southeast Asia. The world’s largest Stevia producers India and China only rank third and fourth, and concerted efforts are needed by governments in China and India to provide incentives and technology access to produce Stevia leaves of market quality.

As the survey findings highlight, the future of this industry is dependent on greater access to information on cultivation, production, flavour-enhancements, regulations, supply chain and socio-economic issues.