By Eva Zhang,Editor of Herbridge Media
China Stevia Cultivated Area and Yield in 2015
Recently, according to the market demand, the cultivated area of stevia has been dramatically enlarged. Comparing to 2014, the annual planted areawas almost double in 2015 which reached 180,000 mu. In china, the major cultivation regions of stevia are Gansu, Inner Mongolia and Mudanjiang area of Heilongjiang province. Meanwhile, stevia is also planted in three other provinces(Xinjiang, Jiangsu and Anhui). The average yieldof stevia leavescould reach 300 Kilogram/mu according to the survey results. Thus, the annual output of stevia leaves amounted to over55,000 tons in 2015.

The Yield of Stevia and Price Forecasting in 2016
Comparing to 2015, the planted area of stevia increases over 30%in 2016, which isabout 250,000 Mu. The predicted annual output will reach90,000 tons. The yield of each major producing region remains stable in 2016. Among them, Gansu province enjoys sound foundation of agriculture and larger areas. Meanwhile, the unique natural conditions give birth to higher output and stevia with stable Reb-A content in Yili area of Xinjiang province. Therefore, the stevia of Xinjiang province attracts more attention of market which leads to double planted area by 2016. 

The market price is trending downward because the stevia output rises greatly. And this also provides solid raw material insurance for stevia extract industry. For example, in 2016, the price per kilo drops $0.3-$0.4 in Anhui, Jiangsu, Xinjiang, Gansu and so on.

Stevia  Extract Export  analysis in 2015-2016
According Herbridge Media，In 2015, the annual export volume of stevia extract was 3,525.75 tons, increased by 21.1% from 2014, as well as 39.3% from 2013.

In early 2015, the price of stevia extract(RA 97%) was correspondingly high (about $105/Kg). Then the price fell to $100/Kg in the mid of 2015. At the end of 2015, the market price continued to decline and maintained at about $93/Kg.

The export volume of stevia extract continues to grow in 2016, and already achieves 3,600 tons until September. Therefore, full-year export are expected to reach 36% percent higher than 2015.

From January to August, the price of stevia extract maintains at about $90/Kg. After that, the price slightly decreases to $88/Kg.

The Cultivated Area and Stevia Price Forecasting  in 2017
In recent years, the stevia has been allowed to be used in more and more countries. Big international Food&Beverage companies reflect to increasing request to natural sweeteners because stevia could be widely used in many kinds of foods. A variety of information, which are orderly competition, high potential and strong market demand of stevia extract, indicates the planted areas of stevia will continue to expand in 2017, as well as the enlarged production capacity. As a result, the stevia extract market enjoys stability in supply and demand, as well as price.

Suggestions for International Buyer
When purchasing stevia in China, international buyers could choose the most suitable suppliers according to their own requirements. However, agood suppliershould have an an expertise in the production of stevia extract. The critical factors of choosing a qualified supplier includes raw material planting&purchase ability, production technology, quality control and supply capacity. We suggest the international buyers pay more attention to large-scale and professional stevia extract manufacturers, and choose the suitable suppliers with stable and long-term supply capacity in order to ensure good product quality, relatively stable price and build up healthy relationship between supply and demand. The following 3 aspects are suggested to consider when investigating a specific stevia extract supplier.

1.      Raw Material Management
A high-quality stevia extract manufacturer should build up exclusive planting base or cooperate with local farmers/agriculture cooperatives in major stevia cultivationregions in order to gain stable supply and good quality of raw material, as well as reducing the risks associated with large price fluctuations. At the same time, a good production enterprise are requested to have strong seeding capacity, excellent agricultural practices and quality control capability along with harvest, storage and transportation. Because solid planting management capacity helps manufacturers to obtain stevia with high content of active substances, protect against insects and diseases and increase the yield.

2.      Production Technology and Quality control
A high-quality manufacturer is based on technical advantages, professionalequipment and rich production experiences. Furthermore, the production objective should be providing high quality products according to customers’demands, guarantee high stevia content and strictly follow quality standard, such as residual levels of pesticide and solvent. As the limitation of microorganism is general strict in large international Food&Beverage companies, the facility of qualified stevia extract manufacturer is also required to carry out GMP requirements, following the international standards, not using any prohibited extracting solvents.

3．Capacity and Supply Reliability
The abundant and qualified raw material resources, over 300 tons annual capacity, as well as long-term development plan are considered as key factors of achieving a successfully stevia extract manufacturer. In order to stabilize the price and supply capability, and further meet the demand of international buyers, stevia extract manufacturers should build up and continuously improve production chain.

As the stevia industry is just getting started in China, the number of large scale enterprises with rich production experience, high technological level and advanced facility remains small. In this article, Guilin Layn Natural Ingredients Corp. is chosen as an example to introduce the current situation of high-quality stevia manufacturer in China.

Layn owns significant comprehensiveadvantages in stevia industry because its stevia extract had already passed the American FDA GRAS certification in 2010. Currently, along with the fast growing stevia industry, Layn makes huge progress in planting, further processing and application areas. For example, Layn has a strong Stevia seedling capability and already develops new varieties with high content of RC and RD, which alsoensure the quality and supply reliability of stevia raw material. As a responsible company, Layn refuses to employ illegal forced and child labor, and insists on safe, voluntary, equal work environment during the cultivation and production process. Layn’s new automatic stevia extract production line with more advanced equipment and production technology has already gone into operation in 2016. Furthermore, Layn has always adhered to use biomass fuel and avoided illegal use of solvent. Thus, Layn’sstevia extract production is more efficient, less energy consumption and environmental friendly. Meanwhile,comprehensive utilization of the residue and by-products in the production can help Layn’sstevia extract to achieve cost advantage and various specifications. In the near future, according to deep study of stevia, Layn’s new R&D center in Shanghai will focus on providing application solutions, as well as safe, healthy and delicious products to global customers.