SHANGHAI, Aug. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- PureCircle, the world's leading producer and supplier of high quality stevia products, welcomes the publication of new research by market research firm CCM highlighting the rapid growth of the global stevia market.
According to CCM's research1, total global output of beverages containing stevia jumped 35% year-on-year in 2014, while total global annual sales of high-purity stevia glycosides (Reb A>95%) rose 10% year-on-year to USD 60 million. PureCircle accounts for over 80% of global sales of high purity stevia glycosides.
China's total output of stevia glycosides grew 3% year-on-year in 2014 to reach approximately 3,200 tonnes. Around 80% of the stevia glycosides produced in China is exported, of which 70% is low purity Reb A 40%-60%, which overseas companies use to produce high-purity stevia glycosides (RebA>95%).
Furthermore, CCM predicted that demand for stevia will continue to increase in 2015 due to a global "trend for low-sugar food & beverage," referring to the World Health Organization's 2014 recommendation that people halve their daily sugar intake, and worries over the safety of some artificial sweeteners.
Among the challenges facing the stevia market, CCM stated that the high price of stevia compared to rival high-intensity sweeteners and the difficulty of disguising stevia's bitter aftertaste were the most severe.
PureCircle is overcoming these problems through its Stevia 3.0TM approach and innovative range of products, which use unique, patented technologies to improve the flavor of the stevia while maintaining zero calories.
| Notes |
| [1] Research was published in Sweeteners China News, CCM's sweeteners market news and analysis service, and is quoted with CCM's permission. |
About Stevia
High purity stevia leaf extract is praised as the ideal source for a naturally sourced sweetener in the new century by the food and beverage industry. Stevia leaf extract comes from the stevia plant, is zero-calorie, tooth friendly and safe for diabetics. As a plant native to Paraguay, stevia is now grown on four continents. For hundreds of years, people around the world have been using the leaves of this little plant to add a sweet taste to foods and beverages. The indigenous people in South America even chewed the leaves for the sweet taste. Today, technology advancements with stevia have helped to improve the sweet taste of the extract for use in food and beverage products.
About PureCircle
PureCircle is the world's leading producer of high-purity stevia ingredients for the global food and beverage industry. The company is a driving force behind moving stevia from a niche ingredient to mainstream, global acceptance, and is changing the conversation around sweet. Its mission is to encourage healthier diets around the world through the supply of natural ingredients to the global food and beverage industry. Its vision is to lead the global expansion of stevia as the next mass volume, natural-origin sweetener. PureCircle has offices around the world with the global headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It was incorporated into PureCircle Limited in 2007. PureCircle's shares are traded on the LSE AIM index. For more information, visit: www.purecircle.com.
