Lead
The global sugar and sweeteners market is undergoing a significant structural transition in 2026, driven by rapid capacity expansion in starch-based sugars, shifting food industry demand toward low-sugar formulations, and evolving export dynamics across key sweetener categories.While demand continues to grow steadily, the pace of capacity expansion—particularly in China—has begun to outstrip consumption growth, reshaping pricing strategies, trade flows, and competitive dynamics across the sector.
Capacity Expansion: Rapid Growth Intensifies Competition
Since 2023, China's starch-based sugar industry has expanded aggressively, with over 1 million tonnes of new capacity added annually.
By the end of 2025:
- Crystalline glucose: ~6 million tonnes/year
- Maltose syrup: ~7.5 million tonnes/year
- HFCS: ~9 million tonnes/year
- Maltodextrin: ~2 million tonnes/year
- Total capacity: ~25 million tonnes
Capacity is highly concentrated in Shandong, Hebei, and Heilongjiang, benefiting from proximity to corn feedstock and logistics advantages.
Major industry players include:
- COFCO Technology Co., Ltd.
- Guangzhou Shuangqiao Group Co., Ltd.
- Yufeng Industrial Group Co., Ltd.
- Zhucheng Xingmao Corn Developing Co., Ltd.
Large producers are moving downstream or scaling production to:
- Increase market share
- Reduce unit costs
- Strengthen competitiveness
TOP Industry Trend: From Sugar Production to Sweetness System Design
TOP Food Industry Demand Drivers
- Zero-sugar beverages
- Functional foods and nutrition products
- Reduced-sugar dairy
- Reformulated confectionery
- Clean-label and natural positioning
The market is shifting from "sugar reduction" to "sweetness system design", combining multiple sweeteners for taste, cost, and labeling.
TOP Export Changes (Jan–Feb 2026, MoM)
According to China Customs data:
- TOP Export Growth Products
- Glucose & glucose syrup (20%–50% fructose) — +39.77% volume
- Mannitol — +2.43% volume
- Sodium cyclamate — +4.12% volume
TOP Export Declines
- Sorbitol (D-glucitol) — -21.91%
- Saccharin — -21.90%
- Fructose syrup (>50%) — -16.04%
- Sucralose — -2.32% volume / -10.51% value
- Xylitol — -6.81%
Key Observation: Bulk sweeteners face volume pressure + price competition, functional and formulation-based sweeteners show relative resilience
Emerging Product: Allulose Gains Attention
According to Tranalysis:
- Jan 2026 exports: 2,729 tonnes
- Feb 2026 exports: 1,850 tonnes
Allulose is emerging as a high-potential low-calorie sweetener, though still in early-stage market development.
Trade Analysis: Oversupply vs Demand Growth
Capacity vs Demand Gap
- Capacity expansion significantly outpaces demand growth
- New projects (~2.34 million tonnes pipeline in 2026) will intensify pressure
Market Structure Shift
- Small producers exiting
- Market concentration increasing among large players
Pricing Strategy Evolution
- Aggressive pricing becoming common
- Margin compression expected
- Loss-making periods likely to increase
For deeper insights into sugar and sweetener markets — including export data, capacity analysis, and product-level trends
CCM provides:
- Sweetener monthly reports
- Marketdata tracking
- Export analysis (China Customs + Tranalysis)
- Application-driven demand insights
These datasets support procurement decisions, product development, and market strategy.
About CCM
CCM is the leading market intelligence provider for China's agriculture, chemicals, food & feed and life science industries. Founded in 2001, CCM provides price monitoring, trade analysis and customized market research. CCM also offers advertising and promotional services for food ingredient and sweetener suppliers, helping companies enhance visibility and connect with targeted global buyers.
Website: www.cnchemicals.com | Email: econtact@cnchemicals.com | Tel: +86-20-37616606
