Buoyed by increased consumption in the U.S., total North American consumption of sugar has shown year-on-year growth in 12 of the last 15 years. Growth in sugar consumption rose by about 0.9 percent per year from 2002/03 through 2016/17. For 2017/18, growth is estimated to be around just 0.3 percent, but growth in 2018/19 could be as high as 2 percent.

Sugar consumption is only part of the picture of consumption of caloric sweeteners, as a significant portion of the gains in U.S. sugar use is the result of reformulation by food and beverage manufacturers away from high fructose corn syrup. The overall trend for consumption of all caloric sweeteners in the U.S. is on the decline, with consumption per capita in the last five years down about 2.3 percent from the preceding five-year period.

North American sugar consumption

Source: FAS, McKeany-Flavell
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