Breaking News on Confectionery & Biscuit Processing

Analyst lauds chocolate market potential in Mexico

23-May-2012 - Confectioners face big rewards by tapping into market potential in Mexico, but will face “oblivion” if they fail to address growing health concerns, according to an analyst.

Global sugar prices to fall 19% by 2013 – Rabobank

23-May-2012 - Sugar prices worldwide are forecast to fall around 19% by 2013 as supply remains above demand, according to financial services group Rabobank.

Cocoa deficit to bring prices higher, predicts Rabobank

22-May-2012 - A consecutive deficit in 2012/13 is set to move cocoa prices higher as supply struggles to meet rising demand for chocolate products in Asia, according to financial services group Rabobank.

News in brief

Vote due on Kraft snacks name

22-May-2012 - Kraft Foods will decide tomorrow whether to change the name of its global snacks spin-off to Mondelez International in a vote at its Annual Shareholder Meeting.

Dispatches from the 6th Annual Food Technology & Innovation Forum, 2012, Chicago

Mintel: Health and quality key to next generation of on-the-go foods

18-May-2012 - Foods with ‘on-the-go’ claims represent a small - but rapidly growing - proportion of global new product launches, but firms that want to cash in need to think about health and quality as well as convenience, says Mintel.

Market for UTZ certified cocoa doubles with Germany leading the way

16-May-2012 - Twice as much UTZ certified cocoa was sold to producers in 2011 compared to the previous year as demand for sustainable cocoa soared in Germany, according to the recently published UTZ Certified Annual Report 2011.

Eight most innovative Sweets & Snacks: award winners

15-May-2012 - ConfectioneryNews.com presents a picture roundup of the eight new confectionery and snacks products that bagged innovation awards at the Sweet & Snacks Expo in Chicago last week.

Blommer predicts looming cocoa supply crisis

10-May-2012 - Demand for cocoa is expected to climb 30% in the next 10 years creating a 25% shortage of current supply, according to North American cocoa processor and chocolate ingredients supplier Blommer Chocolate Company.

Rocky Mountain Chocolate enters Asia

07-May-2012 - US-based manufacturer and store franchise Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory has signed a licensing agreement enabling it to enter Japan.

Pan-African trust fund to tackle food security

02-May-2012 - An African-financed, FAO directed trust fund will provide resources needed to drive sustainable food production across the continent and the oil sector will play a crucial role, according to FAO’s director-general.

Export strengths tip EU food and drink industry

30-Apr-2012 - Europe’s food and drink industry has tipped its decade-long downward export balance; a shift defined by strong export figures underpinned by emerging market demands, according to FoodDrinkEurope.

Confectionery launches with pacesetting sales almost triples in 2011

25-Apr-2012 - The number of confectionery launches achieving sales of over $7.5m in the first year has almost tripled compared to historic averages, according to a report from Symphony IRI.

News in brief

Hershey Godrej launches new product amid split rumours

25-Apr-2012 - The Hershey Godrej Indian joint venture has launched a new chocolate product for its Nutrine brand shortly after rumours surfaced of a possible split.

Support cocoa farmers or face a ‘chocolate crisis’, warns academic

23-Apr-2012 - Chocolate manufacturers will face a serious cocoa supply shortage unless they work to improve the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and allow them to invest in sustainable production, according to an academic.

Top 9 US chocolate brands – consumer poll

18-Apr-2012 - US consumers chose their most popular chocolate brands in a recently published consumer study.

‘Nimble’ SMEs: The innovators of industry

17-Apr-2012 - SMEs are not bound by corporate structure and are therefore flexible to respond to market changes quickly and innovate accordingly with many eyeing the premium, niche segment, according to industry expert.

Orkla plans plant modernisation in Poland after distribution company buy

17-Apr-2012 - Norwegian firm Orkla Brands has acquired a 100% stake in Polish bakery and confectionery ingredients sales and distribution company Kobo as it plans to modernise a plant in Poland.

Hershey faces boycott as school it funds rejects HIV-positive pupil

11-Apr-2012 - The Hershey Company is facing a boycott of its products as a school it funds in the US refused to admit a 13-year-old boy over his HIV-positive status.

EU egg shortage: An alternate view on how long it will last

11-Apr-2012 - The bakery and confectionery industry claims it has been hit with a “dire and unprecedented” EU-wide egg shortage as suppliers of egg replacers look to profit and offer up their opinions on how long the situation will last.

News in brief

Confectioners demand drives lactose market growth - report

10-Apr-2012 - Demand from confectioners could see the lactose market reach US$1.47bn (€1.12bn) by 2017, according to a new report.

Easter With Analysts

Easter consumers opt for comfort brands amid economic uncertainty, says analyst

05-Apr-2012 - New product launches for Easter have soared on last year, but consumers are favouring familiar brands in their Easter confectionery choices, according to an analyst at Mintel.

Finnish confectioner Fazer sets ambitious plans for Asia

04-Apr-2012 - Finnish confectionery leader Fazer is aiming to become an international company by 2016 and has set its sights on Asia.

AAK strengthens position as ‘market leader’ with expansion in Burkino Faso

29-Mar-2012 - AarhusKarlshamn will triple its work with women’s groups in Burkino Faso to cement its position as a ‘front runner’ in the market over the next two years.

Nestle sees consumer trend for online with e-commerce chocolate launch for Spain

23-Mar-2012 - Nestle has launched an e-commerce platform for Spanish customers to order personalised chocolates online.