The food sweeteners market was valued at US$16.599 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.04% over the forecast period to reach a total market size of US$23.413 billion in 2027. Sweeteners are additives that can be used in place of sugar. The rising shift towards low-calorie food and beverage items in order to stay fit and healthy and manage various chronic diseases is the major driver of the food sweetener market. The growing prevalence of chronic diseases caused by obesity is encouraging people to opt for healthy dietary patterns that involve less calorie intake.

 Moreover, consumers have now demanded transparency about the ingredients used in making the product. As such, food and beverage manufacturers are also formulating products with food sweeteners that have low calories than added sugar. There have also been proven studies that show a positive correlation between sugar and cancer. As such, the rising number of cancer patients across the globe is also driving the consumption of food sweeteners globally. Governments, as well as international organizations, are also putting efforts to reduce the high consumption of sugar, which is causing a mushrooming disease burden at a global level, thus positively impacting the market growth of food sweeteners.  

Market players are also expanding their reach in order to capture this growing demand for food sweeteners, both natural and artificial, thereby fueling the market’s growth. SweeGen received permission from Health Canada to market and distribute BESTEVIA® REB E, a non-GMO stevia leaf sweetener. The same year, Tata Chemicals also debuted Tara Nx, a line of nutritional products that includes lactose and Zero Sugar, a completely natural sweetener manufactured from stevia herb extract.

The food sweeteners market is segmented by type, application, and geography. By type, the global food sweeteners market is segmented into natural sweeteners and artificial sweeteners. By application, the food sweeteners market is segmented into dairy, beverages, confectionery and bakery, processed foods, and others. 

The growing popularity of natural sweeteners

The sector for natural sweeteners is anticipated to see the highest CAGR by type throughout the forecast period. Rising awareness about the benefits of natural calorie-free sweeteners is encouraging people to use them in their day-to-day lives so as to curb obesity and other health issues. 69 percent of Americans preferred items without artificial ingredients, while just 32 percent chose products with artificial ingredients, according to the 2018 Food & Health Survey from the International Food Formation Council (IFIC) Foundation. As a result, many food and beverage producers are releasing products that contain natural sweeteners like honey and coconut sugar in an effort to stay up with this shifting consumer demand.

North America holds a significant market share throughout the forecast period

Geographically, the food sweeteners market is segmented into North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (MEA), and Asia Pacific (APAC).

The significant regional market for food sweeteners in North America, owing to the high concerns regarding the consumption of sugar among the population of various age groups. The growing prevalence of diabetes and obesity in North American countries has increased concerns among people as well as governments regarding this unhealthy lifestyle, which includes a high intake of sugar.6 in 10 adults in the United States, based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suffer from chronic diseases.

According to the report released by the World Obesity Federation (WOF), more than 10 million adults in Canada are projected to live with obesity in eight years starting in 2018. Rising cases of cancer are also encouraging people in countries like the United States and Canada to switch to sweeteners, both natural and artificial, which have fewer calories as compared to the amount present in added sugars. Furthermore, supportive government policies and guidelines to encourage the reduction of sugar intake in the diet are also contributing to the growth of this regional market.

However, APAC will experience a substantial CAGR during the forecast period owing to the increasing number of food and beverage manufacturers expanding their facilities in the region. With growing global trade volume, these manufacturers are using different types of food sweeteners in place of added sugars so that they can export their products to countries where there are severe rules and recommendations about consuming a lot of calories, and added sugars' detrimental effects on human health are widely known. As a result, the APAC area is experiencing an increase in demand for food sweeteners.  

Key Developments:

• Jan 2021- To further increase Tate & Lyle's production of stevia and allulose, Codexis has introduced enhanced enzymes. To improve the manufacture of two of Tate & Lyle's newest sweeteners, DOLCIA PRIMA Allulose and TASTEVA M Stevia Sweetener, Tate & Lyle and Codexis expand and strengthen their relationship.
• June 2020- Lower usage levels of Cargill's new sweetener CTruSweet 01795 are claimed to enable a 30% decrease in sugar and calories in beverages and other culinary applications. With the implementation of numerous national sugar taxes, soft drink and sugar-rich food producers are looking for straightforward, creative solutions that won't compromise the expected sweetness of their products for consumers.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Food Sweeteners Market

The demand for sugar-free and low-calorie goods fell during the COVID-19 outbreak, slightly impacting the market's application segment for food sweeteners. Nevertheless, a small number of sugar alternatives anticipate an increase in demand in the future, driven by expanding sales, particularly of artificial and natural sweeteners. Various combinations of low-calorie sweeteners can be used to create subtle flavour alternatives. Manufacturers decide on low-calorie sweeteners based on taste preferences, stability, and cost, either alone or in combination.

Food Sweeteners Market Scope:

Market Segmentation

• By Type
  • Natural Sweetener
    • Coconut Sugar
    • Stevia
    • Honey
    • Maple Syrup
    • Others
  • Artificial Sweetener
    • Sucralose
    • Aspartame
    • Acesulfame Potassium
    • Saccharin
    • Neotame
    • Others
• By Application
  • Dairy
  • Beverages
  • Confectionary and Bakery
  • Processed Food
  • Others
• By Geography
  • North America
    • USA
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • United Kingdom
    • Germany
    • France
    • Spain
    • Italy
    • Others
  • Middle East and Africa
    • UAE
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • Japan
    • China
    • India
    • South Korea
    • Thailand
    • Indonesia
    • Taiwan
    • Others

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What will be the food sweeteners market size by 2027?
A1. The food sweeteners market is expected to reach a total market size of US$23.413 billion by 2027. 

Q2. What is the size of the global food sweeteners market?
A2. Food Sweeteners Market was valued at US$16.599 billion in 2020. 

Q3. What are the growth prospects for the food sweeteners market?
A3. The global food sweeteners market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.04% during the forecast period. 

Q4. What factors are anticipated to drive the food sweeteners market growth?
A4. The rising shift towards low-calorie food and beverage items in order to stay fit and healthy and manage various chronic diseases is the major driver of the food sweetener market. 

Q5. Which region holds the largest market share in the food sweeteners market?
A5. North America holds a significant share in the food sweeteners market owing to the high concerns regarding the consumption of sugar among the population of various age groups.