Global Stevia expands into the EU

HANOI-based Global Stevia Corp., a farm management company with a strong focus on stevia agronomics, has incorporated a European subsidiary as part of its stevia expansion in the European Union. Demand from major EU sugar, food and beverage companies has exploded since stevia received approval in December 2011. "Specific regions throughout the EU have the perfect climate for producing high quality and significant quantities of stevia. EU companies are rapidly expanding their stevia product portfolios," said CEO Matthew Christopherson. "We plan to supply the highest quality stevia to customers in Europe from our stevia operations in the EU." Global Stevia said it will focus on an intensive research and development program to optimise stevia quality and yields throughout the region that have optimal growing conditions ideal for producing high stevia yields that in turn have high concentrations of sweeteners in the leaf.nike sb