Artificial and Natural Sweetener Market Forecasts from 2023 to 2028

The artificial and natural sweetener market was valued at US$25.591 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.36% over the forecast period to reach a market size of US$30.136 billion by 2028.

The increasing health consciousness among consumers has driven the demand for alternative sweeteners. As individuals become more aware of the adverse effects of excessive sugar consumption on their health, they seek out sweeteners that offer reduced calorie content or are perceived as more natural and healthier options.

Rising prevalence of chronic diseases

One significant factor driving the growth of the market is the rising prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. According to WHO, in 2022, approximately 2 million deaths were attributed to diabetes and diabetes-related kidney disease. These health concerns have prompted individuals to adopt low-calorie sweeteners as part of their dietary management strategies. The use of artificial and natural sweeteners in food and beverage products allows consumers to satisfy their sweet cravings while minimizing the negative impact on their health.

Growth drivers of the market

Advancements in food technology and the development of new sweetener formulations have also played a crucial role in the market's growth. Manufacturers have been able to create sweeteners that closely mimic the taste of sugar while offering lower calorie content. This has expanded the application of sweeteners in a wide range of food and beverage products, including dairy, beverages, confectionery, and processed foods. Moreover, changing consumer preferences and the demand for natural and clean-label products have boosted the market for natural sweeteners. Ingredients like stevia and coconut sugar, perceived as more natural alternatives to artificial sweeteners, have gained popularity among health-conscious consumers.

The key players in the market possess distinct competitive edges that contribute to their market prominence. B&G Foods, Ajinomoto Co., and Tate & Lyle have established strong brand recognition and extensive distribution networks. Ingredion Incorporated and ADM benefit from their robust research and development capabilities, enabling them to introduce innovative sweetener solutions. PureCircle and Sweegen have excelled in producing natural sweeteners, capitalizing on the growing demand for clean-label products. These competitive advantages enable these players to capture significant market share and maintain a competitive edge in the industry.

Increasing prevalence and incidence of diabetes

According to data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 96 million American adults, which accounts for more than one in three adults, are living with prediabetes. This staggering figure highlights the urgency of addressing the growing prevalence of diabetes in the United States. Furthermore, the economic impact of diabetes is substantial, with a total of $327 billion attributed to medical costs and lost work and wages for individuals diagnosed with diabetes. This financial burden encompasses the direct expenses associated with medical care as well as the indirect costs resulting from reduced productivity and missed workdays due to diabetes-related complications.

The combination of the high prevalence of prediabetes and the substantial economic burden of diabetes underscores the critical need for effective prevention and management strategies. As a result, the demand for artificial and natural sweeteners, which offer reduced sugar content or alternative sweetening options, is anticipated to rise. These sweeteners play a crucial role in assisting individuals in managing their sugar intake, promoting healthier dietary choices, and potentially reducing the risk of progressing from prediabetes to full-blown diabetes.

By type, the natural sweetener is anticipated to grow substantially.

Natural sweeteners are made from plant-based materials and have fewer calories, they are better than normal sugar or artificial sweeteners. Natural sweeteners are free of carbohydrates and do not cause an increase in blood sugar levels. As customers are growing more conscious of their health and food, there is an increased demand for items with fewer or no calories. Further, stevia, one of the natural sweeteners, is used in both food and drug goods. Stevia has a variety of medical applications. It supports healthy kidney and gastrointestinal functions, among many other things.

The stevia segment as a natural, calorie-free substitute is expected to dominate the market.

Stevia has grown in popularity in the past few years as a natural alternative to synthetic sweeteners, particularly among those trying to lower their calorie intake or regulate their blood sugar levels. Stevia is a natural, calorie-free substitute for sugar-based substances in some personal care products in addition to being used as a sweetener in food and beverage goods. Additionally, studies have suggested that stevia may have a few possible health advantages, including lowering blood pressure and enhancing insulin sensitivity. Moreover, as obesity and diabetes are becoming more common the demand for stevia is increasing. For instance, as of the 10th edition of the Diabetes Atlas, which was published in 2021, 537 million people between the ages of 20 and 79 had diabetes, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). 6.7 million people died from diabetes in the same year. Additionally, as per the Global Nutrition Report, 2022. Estimates show that in Japan, 4.3% of adult women and 6.0% of adult males (aged 18 and over) were obese.

Environmental advantages to further fuel the growth

In addition, the environmental benefits associated with the cultivation of stevia are also projected to boost the growth of the market. For instance, as per the October 2022 the European market potential for stevia report by Centre for the Promotion of Imports (CBI), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union, stevia has a carbon footprint that is 79% lower than that of high fructose corn syrup, 55% lower than that of beetroot sugar, and 29% lower than that of cane sugar which was revealed in a study conducted by PureCircle. According to the same study, stevia leaf extract has a water footprint that is 96% lower compared to the same amount of cane sugar, 94% lower than that of high fructose corn syrup, and 92% lower than that of beetroot sugar.

India in Asia Pacific is an Expected Dominant Market

Increasing awareness about health and growing obesity concerns in the people of India is fuelling the market for artificial and natural sweeteners in the country. A survey conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) named “Prevalence of obesity across India in 2016 and 2021, by Gender” suggested that obesity prevailing among women rose from 20.6% in 2016 to 24% in the year 2021. Similarly, for males, the prevalence of obesity in men or obese men in India was around 22.9% in India. Artificial and natural sweeteners decrease the disadvantages of sugar and keep the food tasting sweet as well.

The increasing use of artificial and natural sweeteners can also be attributed to increasing disposable income in the country which is helping people to go towards healthier lifestyles and more health-friendly products as per their lifestyle. Companies also see India as a major market for artificial and natural sweeteners and are launching new and innovative products in the market. For instance, in November 2022, Lakanto a leading Japanese brand brought a Monkfruit-based sweetener to the consumers in the Indian market. The increasing demand for artificial and natural sweeteners in the country is attracting global players to invest in the Indian artificial and natural sweeteners market.

India is the second largest home for diabetic people in the world. As per the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the number of people is increasing year by year in India. One of the reasons behind the demand for natural and artificial sweeteners is increasing among people suffering from diabetes. Diabetic patients cannot have any direct form of sugar but can take some sweetness with the help of these artificial and natural sweeteners. The increasing number of diabetes patients and increasing health-conscious people in the country are fueling the market of Indian natural and artificial sweeteners in the country.

Key Developments

• In November 2022, three stevia glycosides from bioconversion components were made available by PureCircle, a brand of Ingredion Incorporated. Reb D, Reb M, and Reb AM are among the constituents.
• In May 2022, Oy Karl Fazer Ab produced xylitol from oat nulls. Produced xylitol has 40% fewer calories than normal sugar.
• On July 20, 2022, the Institute of Food Technologists' annual meeting and exposition in Chicago witnessed the debut of the new liquid stevia brand Bestevia LQ from US sweetener manufacturer Sweegen. The sweeteners are designed to reduce the amount of sugar in a variety of items, including confectionery, liquid sweeteners, dessert garnishes, and carbonated soft drinks.
• In March 2022, Cargill revealed its plan to sweeten its stevia products by making its EverSweet + ClearFlo technology widely available. The new sweetener system, which combines Cargill's stevia sweetener with a natural flavor, has many advantages, the business claims, including flavor modification, quicker dispersion, and increased solubility and stability in formulations.
• In February 2023, a Richesse yogurt sweetened with stevia was launched by Thailand’s Saha Pathanapibul. It is available in two flavors of honey and brown sugar blended with stevia. Moreover, it has probiotics and 9, 000mg of fiber contained in it.
• In September 2020, an England-based Oakhurst Dairy launched a Maple Milk with 100% pure maple syrup sourced from local farms in New Hampshire. It was a limited-edition launch to add seasonal variety and can be used to cook maple lattes or morning pancakes.

Segmentation:

By Type

• Artificial Sweetener
• Sucralose
• Aspartame
• Acesulfame Potassium
• Saccharin
• Neotame
• Others
• Natural Sweeteners
• Coconut Sugar
• Stevia
• Maple Syrup
• Honey
• Others

By Application

• Natural Sweetener
• Dairy
• Beverages
• Confectionary and Bakery
• Processed Food
• Others
• Artificial Sweetener
• Dairy
• Beverages
• Confectionary and Bakery
• Processed Food
• Others

By Geography

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Others
• Europe
• United Kingdom
• Germany
• France
• Spain
• Italy
• Others
• Middle East and Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Israel
• Others
• Asia Pacific
• Japan
• China
• India
• South Korea
• Indonesia
• Thailand
• Others