Worldwide production of high-fructose syrup and crystalline fructose.

High-fructose syrups (HFS) are now manufactured and used in many countries throughout the world. They are produced from a variety of starch raw materials including corn, rice, tapioca, wheat, cassava, and sugar beet pulp. Production of HFS is highly dependent on local sucrose and economics of agricultural raw materials. HFS is produced and consumed in the largest quantity in the United States by using corn starch as the raw material. Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, and Asia are major growth areas for HFS production. Crystalline fructose is now being used in a growing number of food applications but its production represents a small percentage of total fructose sweeteners.