PureCircle to invest $100m to support stevia production

PureCircle, a producer of stevia ingredients, plans to invest $100m in its PureCircle Agronomy Program to become the largest supplier of natural stevia in the world.

The company's investment will be put towards expansion efforts in more than 15 growing regions worldwide, as well as further development of PureCircle's farming footprint outside of China.

The expansion will allow the firm to provide a year-round supply of stevia leaf extract.

PureCircle chief operating officer Jordi Ferre 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.”

Investments in the PureCircle Stevia Agronomy Program will be focused on sustainable agricultural expansion, breeding new stevia varieties through traditional methods, identifying optimal growing practices, and providing training, planting materials and other support to farming partners.