Women bigger snackers than men, finds NPD Group

American Women are 15% more likely to snack than their male counterparts, according to research from The NPD Group’s SnackTrack.

News in brief

Visit us at Vitafoods Europe 2013 this week

Europe’s biggest healthy foods, ingredients and supplements expo and conference kicks off tomorrow in Geneva.

News in brief

ConfectioneryNews.com gears up for Vitafoods Europe

ConfectioneryNews.com is attending the opening day of Vitafoods Europe and Finished Products Europe next week to bring you the latest on healthy and functional ingredients for our industry.

Study suggests compatibility between organic and health claims

Organic food brands should not be afraid of using health claims to market their products, as a new study suggests the two concepts are not as incompatible as the industry...

Emerging markets more open to chocolate innovation, says R&D chief

Consumers in emerging markets are more receptive to new chocolate products than counterparts in established markets because they don’t have a point of reference, according to ADM Cocoa’s innovation chief....

Convenience and indulgence the secret to pacesetting confectionery sales

Launches from Hershey, Mondelez and Nestlé were among the top 100 bestselling new food and drink items in 2012 having filled consumer needs for convenience, indulgence and functionality, according to...

‘Overvalued’ currency harms Swiss chocolate industry

The chocolate industry in Switzerland has reported a value sales decline in 2012 as the strong Swiss franc harmed exports and warm weather damaged consumer sentiment at home, according to...

Burton’s Biscuits invests £13.5M to meet biscuit demand

Burton’s Biscuit Company is investing £13.5M in its manufacturing operations to enhance production, support new product development, and meet growing demand for its biscuits.

No bunny scraps in our santas: German chocolate industry

The German confectionery Association (BDSI) has denied media rumors that allege unused chocolate bunnies are melted down and remade as chocolate Santas.

New Zealand chocolate consumers ‘trade up’ for ethics and health: Leatherhead

Consumers in New Zealand are spending more on healthier and ethical chocolate variants - a move that has aided growth in the burgeoning sector, an analyst says.

How can organic brands break into the mainstream? Better marketing, says Organic Monitor

Sales of organic food have slowed in recent years but some are managing to break into the mainstream, bring them a much wider base of consumers – so what are...

All chocolate at PCC Natural Markets must comply with ethical standards

The US’s largest natural foods retail cooperative PCC Natural Markets claims it has become the first grocer in the nation to sell chocolate made only from ethically sourced cocoa.

Fortified gum prospects in fastest-growing Mexican confectionery category

All confectionery categories will grow in Mexico over the next five years, but gum will grow the fastest and confectioners can capitalize with products enriched with vitamins and minerals, according...

Special EU protection proposed for Belgian chocolate

The Belgian confectionery association Choprabisco is considering applying for protected geographical indication for Belgian chocolate to protect authentic producers from imitations.

Low-cost functional gum opportunity in the Netherlands

Chewing gums backed by approved health claims and with low price points are a rare growth opportunity in the mature Dutch confectionery market, according to market analysts Canadean.

Where are the emerging Easter markets?

Brazil has one of the largest markets for Easter confectionery and has had more Easter launches than anywhere else, but the Chinese have yet to look beyond the religious nature...

New Look: ConfectioneryNews.com hits your sweet spot

ConfectioneryNews.com has redesigned its navigation to bring you closer to the latest global industry news.

Organic brands with ‘hero’ status excelling in UK, says Soil Association

The UK organic food sector remained flat in 2012, but branded goods enjoyed a sales boost as supermarkets shrank their organic private label portfolios, according to the Soil Association.

Happy holidays

Australian F&B spending to rise again this Easter, say analysts

Easter, which falls between March 29 and April 1, is traditionally a period of heavy consumption, and business information analysts Ibisworld have lifted the lid on continued strong holiday expectations...

RTS unveil ingredients focused market insight database

A new interactive graphical database offering market insights for food and beverage ingredients will help manufacturers and suppliers identify new trends and grow their business, according to RTS.

Chocolate fastest growing UK food export

Chocolate is the fastest growing UK food export driven by a rise in sales to the Middle East and Africa and factory expansion by Nestlé, according to a report from...

Fairtrade chocolate: Where are sales growing?

Fairtrade chocolate sales are growing in Western Europe and North America, but an analyst does not expect significant development in emerging markets.

News in brief

Discounted candy to attract US Easter shoppers

Nine in 10 Americans will stock up on candy this Easter and will mainly look to discount retailers to spend their bucks.

Premium to drive South African chocolate market up 10% per year

Market analysts Frost & Sullivan expects the South African chocolate market to grow 10% per annum in the next five years driven by rising incomes and locally-sourced premium products.