Alternative Sweetener Market, at a 5.04% CAGR, is projected to increase from USD 13.337 billion in 2025 to USD 17.055 billion in 2030.
Alternative sweeteners or sugar substitutes are food additives that give sweetness similar to that of sugar but have a lot fewer calories than sugar-based sweeteners, making them zero-calorie or low-calorie. Alternative sweeteners may be derived through chemical synthesis or processing plant extracts. Commercial Alternative sweeteners come in a variety of forms, including packets, powders, or small tablets. A few examples of popular commercial Alternative sweeteners include sugar alcohol, aspartame, monk fruit, purified stevia leaf extract, Neotame, Saccharin, and Sucralose.
The consumer’s quality of life has significantly improved, mostly as a result of high personal income. The population's eating habits have changed significantly as a result of growing health consciousness among consumers. Also, businesses are putting a lot of effort into creating items made of healthy as well as speciality goods that enhance health. Therefore growing demand for low-caloric sweeteners is propelling the growth of the global market for Alternative sweeteners during the forecast period. The rising diabetic population is also spurring growth in alternative sweeteners, as they do not affect the blood sugar level of the consumer.
However, stringent rules and regulations by the government and high costs are obstructing the growth of the global market for alternative sweeteners during the analysis period.
Alternative sweeteners in food applications can be used in bulk as well as on an individual level in place of sucrose or fructose. Due to this, Alternative sweeteners are beneficial substitutes for sugar in a variety of commodities, such as chewing gum, sweets, ice cream, baked goods, and fruit spreads. They also work nicely in yoghurt, fillings & frostings, canned fruit, and beverages. Moreover, they are used in mouthwashes, toothpaste, and pharmaceuticals, including throat lozenges and cough syrups.
Sugar polyols have a positive impact on one’s health. In addition to their distinct functional qualities and clean, sweet flavour, polyols provide significant health advantages. They have fewer calories and do not raise blood sugar levels, which is a major benefit. Some sugar substitutes, such as xylitol and sorbitol, have anti-cavity properties and prevent tooth decay, which makes them perfect for products such as toothpaste, mints and chewing gums. The prevalence of obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome has increased, and this, combined with increased consumer knowledge, has resulted in the positive growth of Alternative sweeteners with lower calorific content. According to the IDF, in 2021, 537 million individuals had diabetes. According to projections, this number will increase to 643 million by 2030 and 783 million by 2045. Type 2 diabetes is more likely to affect 541 million individuals. In 2021, diabetes claimed 6.7 million lives.
There is also a growing demand for sugar-free food and beverage products as consumers are moving towards healthier lifestyles and becoming more aware of their health. According to recent research by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, customers have been purchasing more items over the past ten years that are prepared with artificial sweeteners rather than with sugar and high-fructose corn syrup in the United States. Therefore, such consumer trends are spurring the growth of the Alternative sweetener market. Various companies are now launching sugar-free and low-calorie snacks and beverages using artificial sweeteners as a result of growing health consciousness, which is expanding the market even further. For instance, in April 2023, Planet Bake launched its product range of Grain-free, sugar-free, vegan doughnuts. The first product line from Planet Bake carefully chooses the healthiest, highest-quality, and most environmentally friendly ingredients without ever compromising taste or texture. Planet Bake’s doughnuts are made using allulose for a naturally sweet taste.
Moreover, in March 2023, HighKey, a low-sugar baked foods company, launched a new sugar-free sandwich cookie with two crisp chocolate wafers enclosing a layer of vanilla crème. The company used Erythritol and Allulose as Alternative sweeteners.
The Asia Pacific region is anticipated to hold a significant market share in Alternative sweeteners. This region will witness high growth during the forecast period owing to the growing health consciousness, increased urbanisation, and rising disposable income. Alternative sweeteners are in increasing demand in emerging economies like China and India. The market is expanding in this region due to factors such as changing eating patterns and growing demand for low-calorie food and beverages. Alternative sweeteners do not affect the blood sugar level, making them a great fit for diabetic patients. Therefore, the rising prevalence of diabetes in countries such as India and China is propelling demand in this region.
According to the statistics presented by the International Diabetes Federation, 8.3 per cent of Indian adults, or more than 74 million people, had diabetes in 2021. This number is expected to reach 124.8 million by 2045. 13 per cent of Chinese adults, or more than 140 million people, had diabetes in 2021. This number is expected to reach 174.4 million by 2045. Also, the rise of new companies along with the existence of key market players in the Asia Pacific countries is fueling demand. Prime markets in the Asia Pacific region are India, China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan and Indonesia.
| Report Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Market Size in 2026 | USD 13.337 billion |
| Total Market Size in 2031 | USD 17.055 billion |
| Growth Rate | 5.04% |
| Study Period | 2021 to 2031 |
| Historical Data | 2021 to 2024 |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026 – 2031 |
| Segmentation | Product Type, Source, Application, Geography |
| Geographical Segmentation | North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific |
| Companies |
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