High Fructose Corn Syrup Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2023 - 2028)

High Fructose Corn Syrup Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2023 - 2028)

The High-fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) Market size is estimated at USD 9.16 billion in 2023, and is expected to reach USD 9.93 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 1.62% during the forecast period (2023-2028).

Key Highlights

• COVID-19 negatively impacted the market in 2020. The global pandemic has impacted the proper functioning of high-fructose corn syrup worldwide. Due to the pandemic, people prioritized health and wellness, which led consumers to cut sugar, calories, salt, and carbs in food and beverage products. This has resulted in food and beverage manufacturers launching low/no sweetener products to cater to consumer demand, negatively impacting the high-fructose corn syrup market.
• The major factors driving the high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) market include high solubility, the ability to remain in solution, and not to get crystallized, like sucrose, under certain conditions. Leading market players channel their efforts into developing new products through significant R&D investments, utilizing advanced technologies to manufacture superior quality and cost-effective products.
• One of the key factors driving the growth includes the competitive price of HFCS compared to other categories, which helps reduce the prices of end products. Additionally, favorable import and export tariffs on HFCS and subsidizing the basic ingredient of the market, i.e., corn, in countries such as the United States, further trigger the growth of HFCS production worldwide. For instance, according to the EWG Farm Subsidy Record, corn subsidies in the United States totaled USD 116.6 billion from 1995-2020. Factors driving the HFCS Market are high solubility, the ability to remain in solution, and not to get crystallized, like sucrose, under certain conditions.
• High fructose corn syrup is also widely used in pharmaceuticals because it offers excipient benefits as a humectant and filler while providing nutritional benefits as a carbohydrate source and bulk sweetener. It is incorporated into processed foods such as confectionery, baked goods, and carbonated drinks and is sometimes used as a preservative in pickles. HFCS is more stable than sucrose and is suitable for acidic beverages. It is also available in liquid form, making it easier to mix than granular sucrose. These properties of HFCS have contributed to the growth of the global market.

High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) Market Trends

Strategic Investments by Key Players

• Across the global market, according to the European Starch Industry Association, in 2020. Europe is one the largest region, producing a significantly high number of products, including sweeteners from corn starches. Thus, with the rising demand for corn starch sweeteners, many corn starch manufacturers are investing in the corn starch and sweeteners market to support the economy and community of their country of origin while positioning the business for long-term growth.
• For instance, in august 2022, Cargill spent around USD 50 million to build a corn syrup refinery in Fort Dodge, Iowa, which expanded the company’s ability to meet the growing demand for the ingredient in a more sustainable way. Therefore, such high investments have led to a significant increase in the production of HFCS across the world.
• According to the US Department of Agriculture and Economic Research Service, the production volume of high fructose corn syrup in the United States was 7,631 (in 1000 short tons). This rise in HFCS production has resulted from intensive investments in the HFCS market by corn starch players and prominent manufacturers worldwide. For instance, Ingredion Inc. invested USD 30 million in the production capacity at its San Juan del Rio manufacturing facility in Mexico. The manufacturing process of HFCS is easier to handle and more cost-effective than table sugar. The US Food and Drug Administration has determined HFCS as a safe ingredient for food and beverage manufacturing

North America Holds the Major Share

• North America is one of the largest consumers of HFCS in the world. The rising demand for HFCS in the United States majorly drives the region's market share. The demand for high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) sweeteners across the country is majorly due to their wide usage in the confectionery, bakery, and beverage industries, especially soft drink manufacturing.
• The most used varieties of HFCS across the country are the HFCS 42 (used in beverages, processed foods, cereals, and baked goods), HFCS 55 & HFCS 65 (used in soft drinks), and HFCS 70 (used in filling jellies). HFCS 90 has some niche uses, but it is mainly mixed with HFCS 42 to make HFCS.
• The push factor from value-added and fortified food categories is projected to drive the demand in the years to come. In addition, the exports of HFCS from American producers have grown steadily during the early 21st century. According to FDA, the most common forms of HFCS contain either 42 or 55 percent fructose, as described in the Code of Federal Regulations.
• Thus, the increase in international trading of HFCS has further propelled the growth of the HFCS market within the country. High fructose corn syrup is actually cheaper than granulated sugar in America. The government pays subsidies to farmers for corn. Many products made with this ingredient will be more affordable than foods made with whole, natural ingredients.

High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) Industry Overview

The high-fructose corn syrup market is competitive in nature, with many domestic and multinational players competing for market shares. Emphasis is given to mergers, expansions, acquisitions, and partnerships among the companies, along with new product developments, as a strategic approach adopted by the leading companies to boost their brand presence among consumers.

Key players differentiate their offerings and compete on different factors, including product offerings, ingredients, packaging, price, functionality, and marketing activities, to gain a competitive advantage.

Key players dominating the regional market include Cargill Inc., Ingredion Incorporated, Tate & Lyle PLC, Showa Sangyo, Kerry Group Plc, Global Sweeteners Holdings Limited, AGRANA Beteilgungs AG, COFCO Rongshi Bio-technology Co. Ltd, Roquette Freres, and Archer Daniels Midland Company.

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