Global Stevia enters Europe

Stevia agronomics company Global Stevia has incorporated a European subsidiary as part of its EU stevia expansion.

“Specific regions throughout the EU have the perfect climate for producing high quality and significant quantities of stevia,” said the company’s CEO, Matthew Christopherson. “EU companies are rapidly expanding their stevia product portfolios,” “We plan to supply the highest quality stevia to customers in the EU from our stevia operations in the EU.”

The company noted that EU-grown stevia produces high yields with high concentrations of sweeteners in the leaf, and that demand from major EU sugar, food and beverage companies has exploded since stevia received approval in December 2011.

A recent example of this ‘explosion’ was the launch by Del Monte of its Naturally Light range in the UK. Featuring mango & papaya, pineapple & lime and superfruits flavours, its use of stevia as a sweetener is said to reduce the calories in a standard serving by almost two thirds.

Global Stevia said that it is planning to focus on an intensive research and development program to optimise stevia quality and yields throughout the region.