US demand alternative sweeteners

US demand for alternative sweeteners is expected to advance 3.3% annually through 2015 to $1.4 billion (€1.1bn). Gains will be led by continuing market penetration of relatively new entrants to the industry, including the stevia extract rebaudioside-A (reb-A). The more mature segments of the market – high intensity sweeteners (such as aspartame) and polyols (including sorbitol) – will see more restrained, though still healthy, increases in demand. Market trends favouring less processed ingredients will drive well publicised usage of sweeteners that can be marketed as being ‘natural.’