Evolution and trends in the world demand for industrial sugar

The pattern of world sugar consumption has changed considerably during the last ten years. Whilst the overall per capita consumption has decreased slightly since 1987, the industrial share has kept growing especially in the developing countries, where it correlates closely with incomes. In industrialized countries industrial usage now represents about 80% of total consumption. Worldwide household consumption, although declining, still makes up 55% of the total, mainly as low quality sugars (high ICUMSA color). Somewhat unexpectedly, most of the world sugar consumption is now satisfied by low quality sugars. Industrial demand concentrates, but not exclusively, on high quality sugars as well as on isoglucose and intense sweeteners. The “nonsucrose” sweeteners are growing faster than sugar. This trend should accelerate during the next decade.