Stevia’s worldwide boom poses challenges to Paraguay’s native plant

Americas Now

Stevia is a natural, zero-calorie sweetener that is revolutionizing the multi-billion dollar sugar substitute market.

It derives from a plant called Stevia rebaudania, native to Paraguay and some areas of Brazil.

Paraguay was the leading producer of Stevia at the turn of last century. But, as Correspondent Harris Whitbeck reports, the worldwide demand for the sweet plant has left a sour taste for Paraguayans.

Follow Harris Whitbeck on Twitter @harriswhitbeck