PureCircle invests $100 million to increase natural stevia supply

Leading producer of high-purity stevia ingredients PureCircle has announced an additional investment of $100 million in its PureCircle Agronomy Programme.

The investment will support the company in achieving its goal of creating the world’s largest, natural stevia supply. This investment will focus on expansion efforts to more than 15 growing regions around the world and further development of the company’s farming footprint outside of China, which will result in a 10,000 hectare pipeline that provides customers with year-round access to the highest quality PureCircle stevia leaf extract.

Commenting on the announcement, Jordi Ferre, PureCircle’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “This investment highlights our commitment to providing our customers with the largest, natural supply of stevia leaf extract. We are diversifying the countries we grow in to meet the needs of the food and beverage industry as the demand for naturally grown stevia continues to rise. Our PureCircle Stevia Agronomy Program has been the foundation for these expansion efforts, supplying us with the knowledge we needed to take this pivotal step towards year-round farming.”

Three key areas for investment

Investments in the PureCircle Stevia Agronomy Programme are focused in three areas: a sustainable agricultural expansion to more than 15 growing regions; breeding the best new stevia varieties through traditional plant breeding methods; and providing training, planting materials and other support to farmers.

Faith Son, PureCircle’s Vice President of Global Marketing and Innovation, said: “These three areas really encompass how we approach growing stevia. There is real science behind how we grow the best tasting stevia naturally and do it in away that’s sustainable and benefits farmers and their communities. This investment allows us to stay at the forefront of innovation and deliver great tasting products at a scale that fits with the needs of global brands.”