Stevia Industry Leader Truvia® Business Enters South American Market

WAYZATA, Minn., July 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Truvia® business announced its entry into the South American market with the launch of Truvia® natural sweetener in Venezuela -- a sugar substitute market valued at $60 million.[1] Following a year of successful growth across both its consumer products and ingredient businesses in Europe and North America, this latest international expansion solidifies the global market leader position of the Truvia® business in the stevia-based sweetener category.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120718/NY42461 )

Truvia® natural sweetener has fundamentally changed the category around the world with its Truvia® portfolio of products. Nearly 50 million households in the United States have purchased products made with stevia-based sweeteners, up from 43 million from just one year ago.[2] Truvia® consumer products are now available for purchase throughout the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain and Mexico.

"This market launch represents the continued expansion of the Truvia® business in response to the growing consumer demand for great-tasting, natural, zero-calorie sweetness. With the opening of the Venezuelan market, Truvia® consumer products are now available in seven countries on three continents," said Zanna McFerson, Vice President and Business Director for the Truvia® Enterprise. "The mainstream adoption of Truvia® products around the world presents tremendous opportunity for consumers to have a natural choice in managing sugars and calories in their everyday lives."

Truvia® stevia leaf extract is also a popular ingredient in a variety of foods and beverages, including yogurt, cereal bars and juices. Stevia-based beverage product introductions nearly doubled between 2010 and 2011. Food and beverage products naturally sweetened with Truvia® stevia leaf extract currently available on store shelves around the world include Coca-Cola's Sprite® and Nestea®, Glaceau vitaminwater zero™, Kraft Crystal Light® Pure, Tillamook Light Yogurt and Smucker's® Sugar Free Fruit Spreads.

The Truvia® business has also expanded its consumer products offerings with the introduction of innovative products in the United States and Europe. The business recently launched in the U.S. Truvia® Baking Blend, a blend of sugar and Truvia® natural sweetener, and Truvia® 'Behind the Bar', a solution for food service establishments looking to create natural, great-tasting, zero-calorie simple syrups for cocktails, teas, and lemonades. In France, the business has introduced a new pouch to refill the popular spoonable jars of Truvia® calorie-free sweetener. 

As it continues to expand its business in South America and around the world, the Truvia® business remains committed to positive global citizenship and building a sustainable enterprise that supports growers. Truvia® stevia leaf extract is the only stevia sweetener to be managed responsibly from Field to Table with the industry's first sustainable agricultural standard, achieving Carbon Trust Certification in 2011. This field to table supply chain is managed with integrity and transparency.

"At the core of the Truvia® business is the stevia plant. Farmers and the growing communities are an integral part of bringing the Truvia® products to consumers," added Mark Brooks, Truvia® Global Consumer Products Director. "We are committed to supporting those communities as we build a sustainable enterprise."

About Truvia® LLC
Truvia® natural sweetener is a great tasting, zero-calorie sweetener made with the best tasting part of the stevia leaf. Truvia® natural sweetener is the #1 natural sweetener in the sugar substitute category in the U.S. and is also available to consumers in Europe, Mexico and Venezuela. Truvia® stevia leaf extract is also a versatile sweetening ingredient used to enable reduced calories or sugars in foods and beverages. Truvia® LLC uniquely manages its stevia supply chain from field to table having established a global agricultural standard for stevia. For more information, visit www.truvia.com.

About Cargill
Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. Founded in 1865, the privately held company employs 139,000 people in 65 countries. Cargill helps customers succeed through collaboration and innovation, and is committed to applying its global knowledge and experience to help meet economic, environmental and social challenges wherever it does business. For more information, visit Cargill.com and its news center.

[1] Nielsen
[2] Nielsen Homescan Panel, all outlets, total US 52 weeks, ending 2.18.12

SOURCE Truvia