Breaking News on Confectionery & Biscuit Processing

News in brief

60 second interview: Cornish Crisp Company sales manager Rachael Clayton

07-Feb-2011 - FoodManufacture.co.uk waylaid Rachael Clayton to talk about the challenges facing the fledgling Cornish handmade crisp producer, which only uses ‘taters’ grown in the county…

Chocolate is the new super fruit, claim Hershey scientists

07-Feb-2011 - Cocoa powder and dark chocolate has equivalent polyphenol content and greater antioxidant and flavanol content than various super fruits, claims a new study by research scientists based at the Hershey Center for Health and Nutrition.

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Why local foods systems are an opportunity for industry

07-Feb-2011 - The food industry should not rage against the idea of professionalised local food systems, nor unleash its lobbying force to uproot them before their green shoots can reach maturity. Rather, it should explore ways to benefit from local foods and, in turn, foster their development.

News in brief

AAK seeks greater German market penetration

03-Feb-2011 - Confectionery fats supplier AarhusKarlshamn (AAK) is expanding its presence in the German market.

Downard retail pricing and input cost volatility hit German confectioners' profits

03-Feb-2011 - Price cutting by food retailers coupled with substantial simultaneous increases in raw materials prices has undermined profitability in the German confectionery industry over the past 12 months, but recovery in exports has served the sector well, said the BDSI.

Ghana cocoa plant to remain open, confirms ADM

31-Jan-2011 - Leading cocoa supplier, Archer Daniel Midlands (ADM), has confirmed that it is keeping its cocoa processing plant in Kumasi, Ghana open in spite of challenges related to acquiring light crop beans for processing.

Supply restrictions send licorice prices soaring

28-Jan-2011 - Licorice prices are surging as a combination of factors restrict supply from China, the world’s largest producer.

Our cocoa stock levels are sufficient so far, says Barry Callebaut

26-Jan-2011 - Leading maker of bulk chocolate, Barry Callebaut, has bought and exported the cocoa beans it needs to fulfill its processing needs, said a company spokesperson in reaction to the suspension of Ivory Coast exports.

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The naked truth about kids’ food advertising

24-Jan-2011 - It was an Emperor’s New Clothes moment for the US food industry last week, when it was revealed that a major initiative touting its responsible advertising to kids actually allows promotion of many unhealthy foods. Is anyone really surprised?

Cocoa trade bodies press EU for more clarity on Ivory Coast ban

24-Jan-2011 - Lack of clarity on the implications for the cocoa industry of the financial penalities imposed by the EU on the Ivory Coast has prompted trade representatives in the bloc to seek additional information from the Commission.

B2B supplier launches first 100% single source Vietnam chocolate

19-Jan-2011 - The first 100 per cent single source chocolate from Vietnam is being launched by Belgian B2B producer, Grand-Place, who in a bid to increase output is investing heavily in improving the quality of the cocoa beans from the region.

‘Continuous innovation’ key to success for gum makers: Report

18-Jan-2011 - Confectioners must continuously innovate to capture a share of the global gums market, as nearly 80 percent of gum purchases are made on impulse, claims a new report from Global Industry Analysts (GIA).

Cargill acquires German chocolate business

13-Jan-2011 - Cargill is to acquire a German chocolate business, as part of the company’s wider plans to expand further into Europe.

Exotic flavours and region-specific confectionery products will boost growth, report

11-Jan-2011 - The global market for confectionery products is forecast to reach US$186.3bn by the year 2015, driven by the growing popularity of sugar-free categories, exotic flavours and region-specific products, claims a new report from Global Industry Analysts (GIA).

RSPO calls for faster market uptake of sustainable palm oil

10-Jan-2011 - Market uptake of sustainable palm oil will need to accelerate in 2011 in order to keep up with rapidly growing production, claims the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).

Chinese confectioner Au’some invests in its first US factory

06-Jan-2011 - Chinese confectioner Au’some is to expand into the developed markets by investing $6m into its first North American manufacturing facility.

Nestlé sells Russian confectionery business

03-Jan-2011 - Nestlé has sold its Russian confectionery division, Altai Confectionery, in a bid to focus on its core brands.

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Healthy food vouchers are no golden ticket

03-Jan-2011 - Change4Life healthy food vouchers are just the ticket for food industry marketers. But changing eating habits requires consistent, co-ordinated policy – not hand-outs to ease the population’s post-Christmas conscience.

Convenience driven consumers are key for organic growth, says study

03-Jan-2011 - Governments need to implement reforms and promotions to make organic products more attractive to convenience- and price-driven consumers if the organic market is to increase substantially, says a new study.

Further conflict in Ivory Coast could increase cocoa prices, Rabobank

23-Dec-2010 - With a larger crop and only modest growth in use, prices are expected to fall in 2011, according to Rabobank in its latest Agri Commodity market report. However further escalation of conflict in the Ivory Coast could send cocoa prices higher.

Confectionery giants announce functional gum launches

21-Dec-2010 - Chewing gum brands Wrigleys and Trident plan to launch new and developed functional gum products in early 2011, the announcements follow predictions made last month by Euromonitor that “strong growth” is predicted for the confectionery category over the next four years.

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The food industry in 2010: A retrospective

20-Dec-2010 - As 2010 draws to a close, our journalists look back at the issues that have topped agendas across the food, beverage and dietary supplements industries in the last 12 months. Commodity prices, Bisphenol A, obesity, health claims, safety regulations, and more…

Secretary of State awards Mars for work in Ghana

20-Dec-2010 - Mars has been recognized by the Secretary of State’s Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) for its work in Ghana promoting the well-being and sustainability of cocoa-growing communities.

Health awareness fuels innovation in Japanese confectionery market

20-Dec-2010 - Health concerns are fuelling innovation in the Japanese functional confectionery market, according to research from Datamonitor.