Sweeteners Market by Product (Sucrose, High-fructose Corn Syrup, Natural Sweeteners, Artificial Sweeteners, Novel Sweeteners, and Polyols), Sales Channel (Direct and Indirect), Type, Form, Application and Region - Global Forecast to 2028
[429 Pages Report] The global sweeteners market is projected to reach USD 125.1 billion by 2028 from USD 107.2 billion in 2023 at a CAGR of 3.1% during the forecast period, 2023-2028, in terms of value. The sweeteners market is experiencing growth, extending its influence beyond the food and beverage sector into the personal care and pharmaceutical industries. In personal care, sweeteners serve as ingredients in oral care products, chewing gums, and cosmetics, providing a sweet taste without the detrimental effects of sugar. For instance, xylitol, a sugar alcohol sweetener, is widely used in oral care products due to its ability to inhibit bacterial growth and promote dental health.
In the pharmaceutical industry, sweeteners are utilized to enhance the palatability of medications, especially those in liquid or chewable forms. Paediatric medications often incorporate sweeteners to improve taste and increase patient compliance. Sucralose, aspartame, and saccharin are some of the examples of sweeteners employed in pharmaceutical formulations. The growing recognition of the role sweeteners play in enhancing consumer experience and compliance in personal care and pharmaceutical products is a key driver in the expanding sweeteners market.
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Market Dynamics
Drivers:Rise in consumer inclination toward natural products
With the growing awareness of wellness, consumers are increasingly demanding greater transparency in the products they purchase. As a result, they want to know where their products come from and what ingredients are used. These lifestyle changes are having a major impact on the food and beverage industry as well as the personal care industry. Consumers are demanding non-GMO, organic, natural, and additive-free products. Furthermore, many are willing to pay a premium for natural products that are associated with health and nutrition. This growing trend of consumers being willing to pay higher prices for natural products is driving the demand for natural sweeteners.
Restraints: Health issues linked to excessive consumption of high-fructose corn syrup
High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has indeed encountered significant negative public perception, primarily due to its alleged association with health issues such as obesity and diabetes. HFCS introduces an unnatural and excessive amount of fructose to the diet, contributing to various health issues as the body metabolizes fructose differently than glucose. The high fructose content in HFCS has been linked to increased liver fat, potentially leading to fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes. Long-term studies indicate a strong association between HFCS, obesity, and weight gain, with fructose promoting the accumulation of visceral fat, the most harmful type of body fat linked to diabetes and heart disease.
Opportunities: Research and development for diabetic-friendly sweeteners
The escalating global burden of diabetes, according to the International Diabetic Federation Atlas (2021), reporting 10.5% of adults (20–79 years) living with the condition and projecting a 46% increase to 783 million individuals by 2045, underscores a significant opportunity for the sweeteners market. Over 90% of those affected have type 2 diabetes, driven by urbanization, an aging population, declining physical activity, and rising overweight and obesity rates.
The prevalence of diabetes has increased substantially, leading to a growing demand for sweeteners that are safe for people with diabetes. Consumers are now more aware of the health impact of their diet, leading to research and development initiatives focused on creating sweeteners that have better taste profiles and minimal impact on blood sugar levels. The potential for these sweeteners is further amplified by regulatory support and the increasing consumer preference for healthier options. Companies that invest in and market diabetic-friendly sweeteners not only cater to a specific demographic but also contribute to product diversification, global market expansion, and potential collaborations within the food and beverage industry. In essence, the rise of diabetes presents a strategic opportunity for the sweeteners market to become a key driver of growth and differentiation.
Challenges: Product labeling and claims issues
International regulatory bodies are introducing more stringent regulations for food safety and quality. In addition to food testing and certification, these bodies are enforcing food labeling rules and regulations for manufacturers. Many governments worldwide are taking initiatives to implement food labeling laws within their respective countries.
Market Ecosystem
Based on type, the high-intensity sweeteners segment is estimated to hold the largest market share during the forecast period of the sweeteners market.
High-intensity sweeteners claim the largest share in the sweeteners market due to their exceptional sweetness potency, offering a sweet taste without the associated caloric content. As consumers increasingly prioritize healthier lifestyles and seek alternatives to traditional sugars, high-intensity sweeteners, such as aspartame, sucralose, and steviol glycosides (from stevia), have gained widespread popularity. The ability of these sweeteners to provide sweetness at levels significantly higher than sucrose enables their usage in minimal quantities, appealing to those aiming to reduce calorie intake.
Moreover, high-intensity sweeteners address the growing prevalence of obesity and related health concerns, aligning with the global trend towards healthier dietary choices. Their versatility in various applications, including beverages, confectionery, and processed foods, further cements their market dominance. With ongoing innovations, research, and increasing consumer acceptance, high-intensity sweeteners are positioned as key contributors to the sweeteners market, meeting the demand for sweetness without compromising on health and wellness goals.
North America Is Projected To Be The Fastest-Growing Region In The Sweeteners Market.
North America is growing at a significant rate in the sweeteners market due to a confluence of factors driving demand and consumption patterns. The region's high prevalence of health-conscious consumers and their increasing awareness of the adverse effects of traditional sugars on health contribute significantly to the demand for sweeteners. With a robust food and beverage industry, North America is quick to adopt innovations in low-calorie and sugar-free alternatives, propelling the growth of the sweeteners market.
Moreover, stringent regulatory measures promoting healthier dietary choices and clearer labeling practices align with consumer preferences, further supporting the growth of the sweeteners market in North America. Canada, as part of North America, has implemented a thorough safety assessment process before approving new food additives, including sugar substitutes. This meticulous approach guarantees that only proven and safe sweeteners, such as acesulfame-potassium, polydextrose, sucralose, thaumatin, and various sugar alcohols, are permitted for use.
The diversity of approved sugar substitutes reflects North America's commitment to offering consumers a broad spectrum of sweetening options. Additionally, the prevalence of health-conscious consumers seeking alternatives to traditional sugars, driven by concerns about obesity and related health issues, further propels the demand for approved and safe sugar substitutes in the North American sweeteners market. This combination of regulatory rigor, consumer awareness, and a diverse range of approved sweeteners solidifies North America's growth in the global sweeteners industry.
Key Market Players
The key players in this market include Cargill, Incorporated (US), ADM (US), International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (US), Ingredion Incorporated (US), Tate & Lyle (UK), Associated British Foods (UK), Südzucker AG (Germany), and Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (Japan).
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Report Metric |
Details |
Market size estimation |
2023–2028 |
Base year considered |
2022 |
Forecast period considered |
2023–2028 |
Units considered |
Value (USD Million), Volume (KT) |
Segments Covered |
By Type, Product, Form, Sales Channel, Application, and Region |
Regions covered |
North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East and Africa |
Companies studied |
|
This research report categorizes the sweeteners market based on type, product, form, sales channel, application, and region
Target Audience
- Sweeteners producers, suppliers, distributors, importers, and exporters
- Related government authorities, commercial research & development (R&D) institutions, FDA, EFSA, USDA, FSANZ, government agencies, and other regulatory bodies
- Consumers
- Commercial research & development (R&D) institutions and financial institutions
Sweeteners Market:
By Product
- Sucrose
- High-Fructose Corn Syrup
- Natural Sweeteners
- Stevia
- Monk Fruit Sugar
- Palm Sugar
- Coconut Sugar
- Honey
- Maple Syrup
- Agave Syrup
- Lucuma Fruit Sugar
- Molasses
- Other Natural Sweeteners (yacon syrup, date sugar, sorghum syrup, thaumatin, pentadin, and jaggery)
- Artificial Sweeteners
- Aspartame
- Sucralose
- Saccharin
- Cyclamate
- Ace-K
- Other Artificial Sweeteners (Neotame and Advantame)
- Novel Sweeteners
- Allulose
- D-Tagatose
- Polyols
- Sorbitol
- Maltitol
- Xylitol
- Erythritol
- Mannitol
- Other Polyols (isomalt, starch hydrolysates, lactitol, and trehalose)
By Type
- High-intensity Sweeteners
- Natural
- Artificial
- Low-intensity Sweeteners
By Form
- Liquid
- Powder
- Crystals
By Application
- Food
- Confectionery Products
- Bakery Products
- Dairy Products
- Sweet Spreads
- Plant-based Foods
- Other Food Products
- Beverages
- Carbonated Drinks
- Fruit Drinks and Juices
- Powdered Drinks
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Flavored Alcoholic Beverages
- Plant-Based Beverages
- Other Beverages
- Personal Care
- Pharmaceuticals
- Other applications
By Sales channel:
- Direct
- Indirect
- Hypermarkets/Supermarkets
- Specialty Retail Sotres
- Online Retailers
- Convenience Stores
- Other Channels
By Region:
- North America
- Europe
- Asia Pacific
- Latin America
- Middle East & Africa
Recent Developments
- In March 2023, Tate & Lyle (UK) partnered with IMCD (Belgium) in Brazil, enhancing its distribution of sweeteners, fibers, starches, and stabilizing solutions. This expansion strengthened Tate & Lyle’s (UK) presence and accessibility in the Brazilian sweeteners market, fostering growth and market reach.
- In August 2022, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (US) opened its new Nourish Innovation Lab in New Jersey, US, specifically for R&D in food & beverage market. This would help the company launch new products in various categories including sweeteners.
- In March 2021, Cargill, Incorporated (US) and DSM (Netherlands) underwent a joint venture called Avansya for commercial-scale production of EverSweet stevia sugar substitutes. This assisted in catering to the growing demand for reduced-calorie food and beverages.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
What is the current size of the sweeteners market?
The sweeteners market is projected to reach USD 125.1 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 3.1% from 2023 to 2028.
Which are the key players in the market?
The key players in this market include Cargill, Incorporated (US), ADM (US), International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (US), Ingredion Incorporated (US), Tate & Lyle (UK), Associated British Foods (UK), Südzucker AG (Germany), and Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (Japan).
Which region is projected to grow at a highest rate in the sweeteners market?
North America commands a significant growth rate in the sweeteners market due to a combination of factors. This includes a robust regulatory framework ensuring food safety, diverse approval of sugar substitutes like acesulfame-potassium and sucralose, and a health-conscious consumer base driving demand for low-calorie alternatives in the region.
Which product is projected to grow at the highest rate during the forecast period?
Novel sweeteners are poised for the highest growth in the sweeteners market. Novel sweeteners, such as Allulose and D-Tagatose, have emerged as key contributors to the dynamic landscape of the global sweeteners market. Allulose, a rare natural sugar with low-calorie content, closely mirrors the taste and texture of traditional sugars without impacting blood glucose levels. D-Tagatose, derived from lactose, has a similar sweetness to sucrose but significantly fewer calories. Allulose and D-Tagatose find applications in diverse products, including beverages, baked goods, and confectionery, providing manufacturers with innovative alternatives to traditional sugars.
Which application is projected to account for the fastest growth of the sweeteners market?
The personal care application is set for the highest growth in the sweeteners market as the demand for sugar alternatives in oral care products, cosmetics, and chewing gums rises. Consumers seeking healthier options in personal care items drive this trend, presenting significant opportunities for sweeteners in this expanding market segment. .
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The study involved four major activities in estimating the current size of the sweeteners market. Exhaustive secondary research was done to collect information on the market, peer, and parent markets. The next step was to validate these findings, assumptions, and sizing with industry experts across the value chain through primary research. Both top-down and bottom-up approaches were employed to estimate the complete market size. After that, market breakdown and data triangulation were used to estimate the market size of segments and subsegments.
Secondary Research
This research study involved the extensive use of secondary sources—directories and databases such as Bloomberg Businessweek and Factiva—to identify and collect information useful for a technical, market-oriented, and commercial study of the sweeteners market.
In the secondary research process, various sources, such as the International Sugar Organization (ISO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), European Food Safety Agency (EFSA), Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and academic references pertaining to sweeteners were referred to identify and collect information for this study. The secondary sources also include food journals, press releases, investor presentations of companies, white papers, certified publications, articles by recognized authors and regulatory bodies, trade directories, and paid databases.
Secondary research was mainly conducted to obtain critical information about the industry’s supply chain, the total pool of key players, and market classification and segmentation according to the industry trends to the bottom-most level and geographical markets. It was also used to obtain information about the key developments from a market-oriented perspective.
Primary Research
Extensive primary research was conducted after obtaining information regarding the sweeteners market scenario through secondary research. Several primary interviews were conducted with market experts from both the demand and supply sides across major countries of North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and the Rest of the World. Primary data was collected through questionnaires, emails, and telephonic interviews. The primary sources from the supply side included various industry experts, such as Chief X Officers (CXOs), Vice Presidents (VPs), Directors, from business development, marketing, research, and development teams, and related key executives from distributors, and key opinion leaders. Primary interviews were conducted to gather insights such as market statistics, data on revenue collected from the products and services, market breakdowns, market size estimations, market forecasting, and data triangulation. Primary research also helped in understanding the various trends related to types of sweeteners, products, forms, sales channels, applications, and regions. Stakeholders from the demand side, such as food and beverage companies and health and personal care companies who are using sweeteners were interviewed to understand the buyer’s perspective on the suppliers, products, and their current usage of sweeteners and the outlook of their business which will affect the overall market.
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Market Size Estimation
Both the top-down and bottom-up approaches were used to estimate and validate the total size of the sweeteners market. These approaches were also used extensively to determine the size of various subsegments in the market for the base year in terms of value. The research methodology used to estimate the market size includes the following details:
- The key players in the industry and the overall markets were identified through extensive secondary research.
- The revenues of the major players were determined through primary and secondary research, which were used as the basis for market sizing and estimation.
- All percentage shares, splits, and breakdowns were determined using secondary sources and verified through primary sources.
- All macroeconomic and microeconomic factors affecting the growth of the sweeteners market were considered while estimating the market size.
- All possible parameters that affect the market covered in this research study were accounted for, viewed in extensive detail, verified through primary research, and analyzed to obtain final quantitative and qualitative data.
Bottom-up Approach (Demand Side):
Through the bottom-up approach, the data extracted from secondary research was utilized to validate the market segment sizes obtained. The approach was employed to arrive at the overall size of the sweeteners market in particular regions, and its share in the market was validated through primary interviews conducted with sweetener manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, and distributors. With the data triangulation procedure and data validation through primary, the overall size of the parent market and each segmental market were determined.
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Top-down Approach:
Market Size Estimation (Supply Side):
supply-side analysis was conducted to triangulate the market for sweeteners. The market for sweeteners was analyzed for each product.
- Going at a granular level, the share of sweetener products was analyzed among key players operating in the sweeteners market.
- The other factors considered include the demand for natural sweeteners, adoptions, increase in innovations, new product launches, consumer awareness, pricing trends, the adoption rate, patents registered, and organic & inorganic growth attempts.
The top-down procedure has been employed to determine the overall size of the sweeteners market from the revenues of key players (companies) and their product share.
- The market share was then estimated for each company to verify the revenue share used earlier in the bottom-up procedure. With the data triangulation procedure and data validation through primaries, the exact values of the overall parent and each individual market have been determined and confirmed in this study.
Data Triangulation
After arriving at the overall market size from the above estimation process, the total market was split into several segments and subsegments. Where applicable, data triangulation and market breakdown procedures were employed to estimate the overall sweetener market and arrive at the exact statistics for all segments and subsegments. The data was triangulated by studying various factors and trends from the demand and supply sides. The market size was also validated using the top-down and bottom-up approaches.
Market Definition
As per the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), Sweeteners are food additives that are used to impart a sweet taste to foodstuffs. It is an artificial substance that tastes sweet. It is a low-calorie synthetic product used instead of sugar.
Sweeteners are substances employed to add a sweet taste to food, beverages, or other items. They serve as alternatives to natural sugars, providing sweetness without the caloric content associated with conventional sugars. Sweeteners can be categorized into two primary groups: natural sweeteners, sourced from plants or natural origins, and artificial sweeteners, which are chemically manufactured.
Key Stakeholders
- Raw material suppliers
- Regulatory bodies that include the following:
- Food safety agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ), Health Canada – Food Directorate, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA), and World Health Organization (WHO)
- Government agencies and NGOs
- End users include the following:
- Food & beverage manufacturers/suppliers
- Health & personal care product manufacturers/suppliers
- Retailers
- Commercial Research & Development (R&D) institutions and financial institutions
- Importers and exporters of sugar substitutes
- Traders, distributors, and suppliers
- Research organizations
- Trade associations and industry bodies
Report Objectives
- To determine and project the size of the sweeteners market, concerning type, product, form, sales channel, application, and region, over five years, ranging from 2023 to 2028
- To identify the attractive opportunities in the market by determining the largest and fastest-growing segments across regions
- To provide detailed information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (drivers, restraints, opportunities, and industry-specific challenges)
- To analyze the micro-markets concerning individual growth trends, prospects, and their contribution to the total market
- Identifying and profiling the key players in the sweeteners market
- Providing a comparative analysis of market leaders based on the following:
- Product offerings
- Business strategies
- Strengths and weakness
- Key financials
- Understanding the competitive landscape and identifying the major growth strategies players adopt across the key regions
- Analyzing the value chain and products across key regions and their impact on prominent market players
- Providing insights on key product innovations and investments in the sweeteners market
Available Customizations:
With the given market data, MarketsandMarkets offers customizations according to company-specific scientific needs.
The following customization options are available for the report:
Product Analysis
- Product Matrix, which gives a detailed comparison of the product portfolio of each company.
Geographic Analysis
With the given market data, MarketsandMarkets offers customizations according to company-specific scientific needs.
- Further breakdown of the Rest of Europe into Sweden, Belgium, Switzerland, Ukraine, and other EU and non-EU countries.
- Further breakdown of the Rest of Asia Pacific sweeteners market into key countries
- Further breakdown of the Rest of European sweeteners market into key countries.
Company Information
- Detailed analyses and profiling of additional market players (up to five)
Growth opportunities and latent adjacency in Sweeteners Market