Sales of the sweetener are projected to reach $490 million in 2016.
According to market researchers, the global Stevia market could reach $490 million in 2016. That market is currently worth $304 million, with 4,100 tons sold in 2013—a 6.5 percent increase over 2012’s sales figures.
The sweetener is made by extracting flavor from the Stevia Rebaudioside plant, native to South America. Stevia extracts are up to 300 times sweeter than sugar, but don’t affect blood glucose levels in the same way.