Natural Sweeteners Market Size, Share, Industry, Forecast and outlook (2024-2031)

Natural Sweeteners Market is Segmented By Type (Stevia, Molasses, Coconut Syrup, Maple Syrup, Date Syrup, Honey, Others), By End-Use (Food & Beverages, Pharmaceutical, Personal care, Others), By Distribution Channel (Supermarkets & Hypermarkets, Conventional Store, Online Sales), By Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) – Share, Size, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2024-2031

Market Size

The Global Natural Sweeteners Market reached US$ 3.1 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach US$ 4.9 billion by 2031 and is expected to grow with a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period 2024-2031. Stevia, molasses, maple syrup, coconut palm sugar, and honey are the most popular natural sweeteners.

Natural sweeteners are sugar sources produced from natural sources, irrespective of their refining and processing. Natural sweeteners contain more fiber, which helps to control sugar absorption by the body and lowers the glycemic index, thus they have many health benefits as compared to artificial sweeteners. They also offers health-promoting nutrients that aren't present in artificial sweeteners, such as vitamins B, magnesium, and silicon. With the growing preference for plant-based diets, there is a significant demand for natural sweeteners derived from plants. Stevia, a plant-based sweetener extracted from the Stevia rebaudiana plant, has gained popularity due to its zero-calorie nature and high sweetness. For instance, major beverage companies like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have introduced stevia-sweetened products in response to this trend.

Market Trends

Growing Health Concerns Because of Artificial Sweeteners is Driving the Natural Sweeteners Market

The rising prevalence of obesity and diabetes due to consumption of artificial sweeteners, is the primary driver of the natural sweeteners market. Individuals newly diagnosed with diabetes are using natural sweeteners to progressively develop healthy lifestyle behaviors. Because of the rejection of artificial food additives and serious health concerns about excessive sugar consumption, consumer interest in natural sweeteners has exploded in recent years. 

According to International Diabetes Federation, around 537 million adults (20-79 years) were living with diabetes and the total number of people living with diabetes is projected to rise to 643 million by 2030 and 783 million by 2045. Moreover, several researches have shown as sugar and artificial sweeteners as one of the key reasons for increasing diabetes and obesity issues. Thus, natural sweeteners are highly being preferred by the food industry, in the wake of the raising health issues due to consumption of artificial sweeteners.

Rising Demand for Plant-Based Sweeteners is Driving the Natural Sweeteners Market

Major food and beverage companies have recognized the growing demand for plant-based sweeteners and have introduced stevia-sweetened products to cater to consumer preferences. For instance, Coca-Cola launched Coca-Cola Life, a reduced-calorie soda sweetened with a blend of cane sugar and stevia, in response to consumer demand for a natural, lower-calorie option. This expansion of stevia-sweetened product offerings indicates the market's response to the rising demand for plant-based sweeteners.

There has been a notable increase in the number of individuals adopting plant-based diets or reducing their consumption of animal products. According to a survey conducted by World Animal Foundation in 2023, 1.21% of the U.K. population identified as vegan or vegetarian. This shift in dietary preferences has fueled the demand for plant-based sweeteners as consumers seek alternatives to traditional sugar.

High Cost Associated with Natural Sweetener Can Hamper the Natural Sweeteners Market

Natural sweeteners often require specific cultivation methods, extraction processes, and quality control measures, which can result in higher production costs compared to artificial sweeteners or traditional sugar. For instance, the production of natural sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit extract involves specialized farming practices and extraction techniques. These additional costs incurred during the production phase contribute to the higher prices of natural sweeteners. 

Natural sweeteners may have limited availability due to factors such as seasonal harvests or geographical restrictions. Some natural sweeteners, like agave syrup, are sourced from specific regions, making their availability and scale of production relatively lower compared to widely available artificial sweeteners. The limited availability and scale of production can drive up the prices of natural sweeteners.

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Market Segmentation Analysis

The global natural sweeteners market is segmented based on type, end-user, distribution channel and region.

Stevia is the Largest Segment of the Market Owing to the Increasing Consumers Demand for Low-Caloric Sweeteners

Stevia is a white powder that has been adopted as a low-caloric sweetener which is known to be 300 times sweeter than sugar. As stevia is heat stable, pH stable, fermentable, and does not produce a glycemic reaction when eaten, it makes it a good replacement of sugar especially for diabetics and those who need to keep their carbohydrate intake under control. 

As a plant-based sugar substitute with no calories, stevia represents the perfect and unprecedented opportunity for consumers who are looking for calorie free food. Stevia is majorly consumed as a sweetener in the food industry with its application in various food products including fruit and milk drinks, yoghurt, delicacies, desserts, confectioneries, processed seafood products, pickles, table-top sweeteners and dietary supplements.

Market Geographical Share

North America Dominates the Market Owing to the Growing Prevalence of Obese Population in United States

North America is the major shareholder of the market with U.S. being the largest consumer of natural sweeteners. Maple syrup is native to North America region with Canada been the largest producer and exporter, and U.S. been the largest importer and consumer. Maple syrup has almost replaced other sweeteners with increasing prevalence of obesity in these countries. 

According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity, in 2021 the top exporters of Maple sugar and maple syrup were Canada ($474M), United States ($27.1M). Maple sugar and maple syrup ranks 3412th in the Product Complexity Index (PCI). Between 2020 and 2021 the exports of Maple sugar and maple syrup grew by 14.7%, from $500M to $574M. Trade in Maple sugar and maple syrup represent 0.0027% of total world trade.

Natural Sweeteners Companies

The major global players in the market include British Foods PLC, Cargill Incorporated, Dupont De Nemours Inc., HYET Sweet B.V., Ingredion Incorporated, PureCircle, Roquette Freres, Symrise AG, Tate & Lyle PLC, and Tereos Starch and Sweeteners.

COVID-19 Impact on Market

Global Recession/Ukraine-Russia War/COVID-19, and Artificial Intelligence Impact Analysis

Covid-19 Impact

The outbreak of covid-19 had a positive impact on the global natural sweeteners market with the increased in-home consumption of these sweeteners during this period. As the diabetic population was more prone to the virus attack, the awareness in people towards low sugar consumption increased. This resulted in people switching from sugar to natural sweeteners. According to the data provided by Neilsen, a retail data provider, Canada’s maple syrup production rose by 8.3%, while exports of its exports rose 20%. While the consumption of honey increased in the Asian countries as honey has been part of the ancient medicinal practices in this region.

Key Developments

• In February 2023, Sweet Harvest Foods Holdings (SHFH), the leader in the U.S. natural sweetener industry, has acquired Sweet River Honey, a leading beekeeping business based in Texas. Sweet River Honey will add hives and beekeeping experience to the SHFH portfolio and enable SHFH to further accomplish its vision of being the world’s most trusted natural sweetener company.
• In May 2021, Amyris, Inc., a leading synthetic biotechnology company active in the Clean Health and Beauty markets through its consumer brands and a top supplier of sustainable and natural ingredients, announced that it has signed an agreement with Ingredion Incorporated, a leading global ingredient solutions provider to the food and beverage industry, for the exclusive licensing of Amyris's zero-calorie, nature-based, fermented Reb M sweetener.
• In January 2020, Food and beverage ingredient specialist Tate & Lyle PLC has acquired Sweet Green Fields, a global stevia business with estimated revenue of about $50 million in 2020. The deal is expected to strengthen Tate & Lyle’s position as a leading provider of sweetener solutions. 

Why Purchase the Report?

• To visualize the global natural sweeteners market segmentation based on source, application, end-user, and region, as well as understand key commercial assets and players.
• Identify commercial opportunities in the market by analyzing trends and co-development.
• Excel data sheet with numerous data points of natural sweeteners market-level with all segments.
• The PDF report consists of cogently put-together market analysis after exhaustive qualitative interviews and in-depth market study.
• Product mapping is available as Excel consists of key products of all the major market players.

The global Natural Sweeteners market report would provide approximately 61 tables, 62 figures and 190 Pages.

Target Audience 2024

• Manufacturers/ Buyers
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Research Professionals
• Emerging Companies