Sugar and Sweeteners - US - November 2007

Abstract

This report addresses the state of the sugar and sweetener industry, including emerging threats and opportunities. Mintel' s custom research investigates consumer behavior including sweetening, baking, reasons for using sugar substitutes, interest in functional sweeteners and willingness to pay premiums for certain types of sugar. Mintel' s survey also tests attitudes toward the phrase "artificial sweeteners" as compared to attitudes to "sugar substitutes." While the price of sugars and sweeteners is on the rise, volume sales are declining due to low rates of at-home baking and tabletop sweetening. The growing number of diabetics in the U.S has also hurt sugar sales. This report gives sugar and sweetener players the information necessary to stay competitive in the market. Some of the questions answered include: How will 2008 shifts in global trade agreements affect marketing and the price of sugar in the U.S.? How have food trends shaped product innovation? What opportunities are there for flavored sugars in the kids market? Are consumers who bake more willing to pay premiums for organic or all-natural sugar? How can sugar substitute manufacturers attract older baking consumers? In what ways will sweeteners and medicine combine in the future? Covered in this report are white, brown, powdered and flavored sugar; low-calorie sugar substitutes; honey; molasses; and other sweetening syrups. This report contains US IRI InfoScan data.