Surging energy, commodity prices are market factors.

Domestic sugar production lower.

Combining protein, reducing sugar seen as avenues for growth.

Few workers available to fill millions of new jobs.

But taste remains main driver of food purchases.

Treating the sweeteners with enzymes improves their taste, according to Howtian.

High-tier imports keep sugar prices elevated.

Beet sugar production unchanged but record high.

The zero-calorie sweetener is 500 to 2,000 times sweeter than sugar.