Alternative Sweeteners Market, Analysis By Product Type (High-intensity Sweeteners, Low-intensity Sweeteners, and High Fructose Syrup), By Application (Bakery and Confectionery, Beverages, Dairy, Pharmaceuticals, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

Food additives, an alternative to sucrose and other mono and disaccharides that provide sweetness, are referred to as alternative sweeteners. Alternative sweeteners are also called as sugar substitutes, high-intensity sweeteners, or non-nutritive sweeteners. Commonly known alternative sweeteners are aspartame (equal), saccharin (sweet and low), and sucralose (splenda). These alternative sweeteners contain zero or negligible calories and are multiple times sweeter than table sugar. Therefore, a lesser amount of sweeteners is required to achieve the same level of sweetness. A total of six alternative sweeteners approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are aspartame, sucralose, saccharin, acesulfame potassium (acesulfame-K, or Ace-K), advantame, and neotame. According to the FDA, various sugar substitutes are "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS).

Aspartame is a low-calorie alternative sweetener combining two amino acids, phenylalanine and aspartic acid. It is found in frozen desserts, yogurt, pudding, dry dessert mixes, soft drinks, and chewing gums. Acesulfame-K is a no-calorie sugar substitute, often used with other sweeteners. It can be found in processed foods and beverages, including candy, soft drinks, baked goods, and frozen desserts. It is also used in various oral hygiene products and medicines (mouthwash and toothpaste). Saccharin is 200 to 7,000 times sweeter than sugar, depending on its use. It is usually added in processed foods by its combination with other sugar substitutes. Stevia is a plant-based alternative sweetener with no calories. Purified extracts from the leaves of the plant are known as steviol glycosides. Stevia is mainly used as a substitute while baking. Sucralose is a no-calorie alternative sweetener and is 600 times sweeter than sugar. It is used in vitamins, medicines, and nutritional supplements.

The ongoing trend of living a low-calorie, well-balanced lifestyle is driving the market growth. The rising demand for low-calorie sweeteners due to increased health concerns, such as obesity and diabetes, is the key factor driving the expansion of the alternative sweeteners market share. The side effects on health due to the high consumption of foods with alternative sweeteners will likely restrain the market growth.    

Impact of COVID-19 on the Alternative Sweeteners Market:

The COVID-19 pandemic positively impacted the alternative sweeteners market growth. There was a rising focus on reducing white crystals consumption which, in turn, aided in positive growth of the market at the end of 2020. There was a decrease or stagnation in sugar consumption in 2020, owing to the rising inclination toward the consumption of alternative sweeteners and plant-based and natural products. Increased health consciousness among consumers resulted in lowering their sugar intake, thus surging the demand for low-caloric and zero-sugar food products, thereby positively impacting the market growth.   

Key Insights 

The report will cover the following key insights:

• Overview of parent/related market


• Partnership, merger, and acquisition by key market players for alternative sweeteners market


• Key trends and innovation


• Regulatory analysis


• Impact of COVID-19 on the alternative sweeteners market

Analysis by Product Type:

Based on product type, the market is segregated into high-intensity sweeteners, low-intensity sweeteners, and high fructose syrup. The high-intensity sweeteners segment is expected to hold a significant share of the alternative sweeteners market. According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, high-intensity sweeteners are usually used as sugar alternatives as they are multiple times sweeter than sugar. These contribute the least to no calories when added to foods.

High-intensity sweeteners are highly used as diet sugar to meet the needs of health-conscious consumers. The rising demand for convenience food products, increasing prevalence of obesity and diabetes, and growing demand for natural sweeteners are some factors attributable to the growth of this segment.

Analysis by Region:

Asia Pacific is expected to dominate and acquire a significant alternative sweeteners market share. The rising Gen-Z and millennial population strictly focus on maintaining fitness, making them increasingly use natural high-intensity sweeteners. Apart from this, a wide range of applications of alternative sweeteners is also seen in ethnic Asian food products, such as flavored sauces and pickles, further driving the Asia Pacific market growth. For example, steviol glycosides have been used to prepare chocolates, baked goods, sauces, jams, dairy products, and drinks. Various other factors, such as changing lifestyles and increasing disposable income of young adults, are making them use natural and plant-based sweeteners. The developing economies of Asia Pacific, such as India and China, are leading to technological advancements and increasing research & development activities attributable to the alternative sweeteners market growth. 

Key Market Players

The key players include Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (Japan), Archer-Daniels-Midland-Company (U.S.), Cargill Incorporated (U.S.), DuPont Nutrition & Health (Denmark), Ingredion Incorporated (U.S.), GLG Life Tech Corporation (Canada), Naturex S.A. (France), Tate & Lyle Plc (U.K.), Associated British Foods Plc (U.K.), and Roquette Freres S.A. (China).

Segmentation

Key Industrial Developments

• In November 2020, Ajinomoto Co., Inc. launched the stevia sweetener AJISWEET RA for industrial use in the U.S. for manufacturers of confectioneries, beverages, and other products. AJISWEET RA has off-flavors and reduced bitterness, which help resolve the taste issues that food & beverage manufacturers face with stevia sweeteners. 


• In July 2020, Cargill Incorporated added a new product to its sweetener portfolio, which offers food and beverage manufacturers a label-friendly 30% sugar reduction. The new product launch has benefitted Cargill by providing its consumers with several options to reduce sugar through the launch of Cargill's new sweetener C TruSweet 01795, so that they can reduce 30% calories and sugar in beverages and other food applications through lower usage levels.