Stevia
Stevia is the dried leaf of Stevia rebaudiana, a perennial shrub in the sunflower family native to South America and now grown across tropical and subtropical highlands worldwide. The leaf carries steviol glycosides, a family of zero-calorie sweetening compounds many times sweeter than sucrose by weight. Leaves are harvested, dried and either sold as whole/crushed dried leaf or further processed into a refined extract. It is used as a natural sweetener in food, beverage and pharmaceutical formulation.
Listed stevia markets
Each line is a grade at a delivery point. Open one for its full specification and terms.
Grades
Stevia is graded on the total steviol glycoside (TSG) content of the dried leaf, measured by HPLC against the JECFA steviol glycosides specification method, with the ratio of individual glycosides (principally rebaudioside A to stevioside) reported because it affects sweetness profile and bitterness. Lots are also screened for moisture content, pesticide residue and microbial load.
Total steviol glycoside (TSG) content
2 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| TSG14High-assay total steviol glycoside dried leaf | Total steviol glycoside content assayed at 14% or more of dry-leaf weight by HPLC, rebaudioside A:stevioside ratio reported, screened for moisture, pesticide residue and microbial load. |
| UnassayedNo independent glycoside assay on file | Trades at a discount to an assayed lot, or not at all against a buyer who requires a passed lab report. |
Rebaudioside A : stevioside ratio
1 grade
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| ReportedGlycoside ratio stated on the lab report | Ratio disclosed as part of the same HPLC assay used for total glycoside content; no fixed threshold, buyer sets acceptance range on the contract. |
Moisture and microbial load
1 grade
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Dry, soundMoisture held low enough to prevent microbial growth in storage and transit | Buyer sets the contract moisture ceiling and microbial-load limit. |
Grades outside this list trade on request. Send us the contract specification you work to and we will price against it.
Locations
| Country | Region | We trade it as |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya | East Africa | Origin |
| Paraguay | South America | Origin |
| China | East Asia | Origin |
| United States | North America | Destination |
| Canada | North America | Destination |
| Germany | Europe | Destination |
| United Kingdom | Europe | Destination |
| Netherlands | Europe | Destination |
Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown here.
Timing
Harvest is when the leaf is cut and dried at origin. Arrival is when a shipment from that origin typically lands in a consuming market, after inspection and ocean freight.
HarvestArrival
| Origin | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Apr to Dec, arrival Jun to FebKenyan stevia, including the Nandi County highland belt, is harvested in multiple cuts across the year, most commonly cited as April-June and October-December, with 3 to 4 harvests possible annually once a stand is established. Yield and glycoside quality are reported as highest just before flowering. Drying follows immediately at origin, then inland transport to Mombasa and ocean freight. |
Windows outside this pattern trade on request, including carry and stock already sitting in a destination warehouse.
Common questions
What grades of stevia does SIP Global trade?
We quote 4 published grades of stevia, including TSG14 - High-assay total steviol glycoside dried leaf, Unassayed - No independent glycoside assay on file, Reported - Glycoside ratio stated on the lab report and Dry, sound - Moisture held low enough to prevent microbial growth in storage and transit. Every grade is tied to a delivery point and a settlement route. Grades outside the published list are priced on request.
How is stevia graded?
Stevia is graded on the total steviol glycoside (TSG) content of the dried leaf, measured by HPLC against the JECFA steviol glycosides specification method, with the ratio of individual glycosides (principally rebaudioside A to stevioside) reported because it affects sweetness profile and bitterness. Lots are also screened for moisture content, pesticide residue and microbial load. Grading runs on 3 systems: Total steviol glycoside (TSG) content, Rebaudioside A : stevioside ratio and Moisture and microbial load.
Where does SIP Global trade stevia?
We trade stevia in Kenya, Paraguay, China, United States, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom and Netherlands. Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown.
When is stevia harvested and when does it arrive?
Typical windows are Kenya: harvest apr to dec, arrival jun to feb. Harvest is when the lot is taken at origin, arrival is when a shipment from that origin lands in a consuming market. Windows outside this pattern, including carry, trade on request.
How do I get a price for stevia?
Send the grade, the origin and the delivery window to the SIP Global desk. That is enough for a trader to come back with a level and a settlement route. 1 listed stevia market is published on this page, each with its full specification and terms. We take both sides, physical and financial, prompt to long dated.
Standards and data sources
The grading language on this sheet follows published standards. Trade volumes and tariff lines are public record. Verify anything here against the source.
- UN ComtradeOfficial international trade statistics by HS code
- ITC Trade MapBilateral trade flows and tariff data
- FAOSTATFAO production and trade series for agricultural commodities
Price this with our desk
Grade, origin and window if you have them. If what you are carrying does not fit the sheet above, describe it in your own words and a trader will take it from there.