Sweet food is universally enjoyed across the globe. The natural scarcity of sweet products and quick carbohydrates has made them one of the most beloved foods by people of all ages. That’s because of the rise in dopamine levels when we consume sweet products. However, in recent decades, the increased manufacturing and consumption of sweet products has led to health concerns as well. Although sales of bulk sugar wholesale have increased, the market share of sugar substitutes has increased as well. In this post, we’ll share more about what businesses buy and sell sugar, the different types of sugar sold wholesale, and the trends in the sector. If you’re interested in this topic, check out our posts on sugar shipping and some of the well-known sugar wholesale suppliers.
Key takeaway: Although sugar alternatives have become increasingly popular, granulated sugar is still one of the most common additives used to sweeten food and beverages. Various businesses purchase bulk sugar wholesale from specialized suppliers, broadliners, or directly from producers.
Different Types of Sugar Sold Wholesale
There are various types of sugar and sugar substitutes on the market. They have different applications and are used by manufacturers, restaurants, and other businesses. Let’s examine the main sugar types.
- Granulated. This is the most common type of sugar. It’s what most people consider to be just regular sugar.
- Brown sugar. Its caramel-like flavor makes it a preferred ingredient in pastries and other dishes.
- Beet and cane sugar. Sugarcane and sugar beets are the main plants used to make sugar.
- Powdered. This is granulated sugar that has been finely ground into powder. Its main applications are making frosting, dusting baked goods, and icing desserts.
- Liquid sugar varieties. That includes products like glucose syrup, invert syrup, or molasses.
- Decorative and sparkling sugar. There are multiple varieties of sparkling sugar used to decorate cupcakes, donuts, and other sweet pastries.
- Alternatives. Products like stevia and monk fruit extracts are often considered as types of sugar.
What Businesses Buy Bulk Sugar Wholesale
As it’s one of the most common food additives, a lot of businesses buy bulk sugar wholesale. Some of them purchase large quantities of packaged sugar from suppliers of wholesale condiments while others partner directly with sugar producers.
- Confectionery and beverage manufacturers. Sugar is used in pastries, desserts, soft drinks, snack food, and various other products. That’s why it’s unsurprising that manufacturers of such goods buy bulk sugar wholesale. Smaller companies usually partner with distributors while larger ones reduce their cost of goods sold by purchasing tons of sugar directly from producers.
- Cafes and other businesses in the restaurant industry. Powdered and granulated sugar is used by coffee shops to prepare pastries and as condiments for coffee drinks. Restaurants also use various types of sugar in cooking.
- Distilleries and breweries. Sugar is used to brew beer and distill spirits. Making fermented beverages such as kombucha also requires sugar.
- Retailers. Grocery stores, supermarkets, and specialty food stores also purchase sugar in large quantities and at wholesale prices. These businesses usually buy packaged sugar. However, some retailers have packaging capabilities and increase their profit by packaging sugar on their own.
- Pharmaceutical companies. Sugar is one of the main ingredients in various medications. It’s used to improve the flavor of syrups and in the coating of pills.
Where to Buy Wholesale Sugar
Generally speaking, there are three main options when it comes to purchasing bulk sugar wholesale. The first one is to buy it from specialized suppliers that sell various types of sugar, zero-calorie sweeteners, and other food additives. Another option is to partner directly with sugar producers. However, in order to do that, a company needs to order large quantities of sugar. And the third option is to purchase bulk sugar wholesale from broadline distributors. Many businesses choose to partner with broadliners as this allows them to buy wholesale products in various categories.
Besides partnering with producers or distributors, many business owners use marketplaces to find suppliers of bulk sugar wholesale. These platforms are specifically designed to help in B2B sales. Furthermore, by using a wholesale marketplace platform, businesses can compare prices of different types of sugar products, alternatives, and affordable options like high fructose corn syrup.
BlueCart is a great example of such a platform. Our marketplace is primarily used by distributors of wholesale food. On BlueCart’s marketplace, distributors can sell to catering businesses, coffee shops, restaurants, hotels, and various other businesses.
Suppliers of coffee beans, different types of condiments, and other products that are closely related to sugar also offer packaged and bulk sugar.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bulk Sugar Wholesale
From resources on the latest restaurant industry trends to tips on how to increase your wholesale sales, you’ll find plenty of useful articles on BlueCart’s website. Below we’ve answered some of the common questions regarding sales of bulk sugar wholesale.
What Are the Alternatives to Sugar?
There are various types of sugar substitutes. Some of them are extracted from plants while others are synthesized chemically. The most popular alternatives to sugar are aspartame, saccharine, and monk fruit extract. In recent years, the so-called sugar alcohols (erythritol, xylitol, and sorbitol) have become popular. Stevia is also a popular alternative to sugar. Dietary concerns are the main reason why manufacturers and consumers switch to sugar substitutes. Products like high-fructose corn syrup are also used as sweeteners. However, it’s uncommon to refer to them as sugar substitutes or alternatives as they are not low-calorie or non-nutritive products.
How Big is the Global Sugar Market?
The global sugar market’s size is estimated to be around USD 65 billion. That makes it one of the biggest markets in the broad food additives and flavoring industry. It’s important to note that this number doesn’t include the wide variety of other products like corn syrup or sugar alternatives. Honey is also a preferred sweetener in many regions of the world. The global sugar market has expanded in recent years thanks to population growth in India, Africa, and other parts of the globe. The limited availability of sugar has led to an increased market share of various substitutes.
What Are the Trends in the Sugar Industry?
Sales of bulk sugar wholesale have increased in recent years. However, the market has been adapting to shifts and developments. Here are the key trends in the sugar niche market.
- Manufacturers have increased their focus on sugar alternatives as the demand for these products grows;
- As with other sectors, sustainability has become increasingly important among sugarcane and sugar beet growers;
- The rise of weight-loss medications which reduce appetite can also lead to a decline in sugar consumption. That’s why many manufacturers and distributors of bulk sugar wholesale have focused on markets like India and Asia.
BlueCart: The Marketplace to Buy Bulk Sugar Wholesale
Whether you want to find suppliers of bulk sugar or zero-calorie alternatives, you can use BlueCart’s marketplace to examine products offered by different distributors. From restaurant supplies to wholesale fruits and vegetables, there is a wide range of goods in our wholesale marketplace. Furthermore, wholesale distribution companies can use BlueCart’s wholesale ordering software to automate various tasks, increase their sales, and easily create eCommerce catalogs. Schedule a demo today and witness the power of BlueCart’s features!