Retired Colonel Selahattin Güvenç, who started stevia production in Burhaniye, Turkey 12 years ago, is now preparing to export a ton of dried leaves to the United States. The demand for the product first came from the United States, following Germany and the Netherlands. Güvenç aims to produce one million seedlings and has already received offers from France. The extract, which is used in sugar substitutes, is currently being produced in Turkey and will likely be distributed in Europe.