James May, founder and CEO of SweetLeaf Stevia Sweetener, was honored recently in Paraguay for his efforts toward the promotion and cultivation of what has become one of North American’s most popular alternative sweeteners.
According to a press release, Stevia’s genetic heritage has been tied to Paraguayan roots, and the country’s efforts to cultivate the plant are vital to its economic outlook. The VI International Symposium of Stevia was held in the country in November; President Federico Franco honored May, said to be the first person to manufacture and market Stevia products for the U.S. market in 1982.
According to the release, the global Stevia market, which saw annual sales of $21 million in 2008, is expected forecasted to top $800 million by 2014.
To learn more about May and SweetLeaf visit www.sweetleaf.com.
