Markets

09-Mar-2012 - The International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) expects a world cocoa deficit in 2011/12 season as it estimates bean production to fall 8%.

‘Be consistent. Be visible. And be human’: Building consumer trust through social media

09-Mar-2012 - Consumers are increasingly engaged in online conversations about food and beverage products, and there could be enormous benefits for manufacturers that get involved, according to a social media expert from The Nielsen Company.

Euromonitor commodity talk: The highs, the lows and demands

07-Mar-2012 - Low coffee demands, surplus cocoa stocks, rising sugar prices and a geographical shift in the wheat market, are just a few points raised by Euromonitor’s senior food analyst in its monthly GlobalCast.

Nestle suspends trade on all products in Azerbaijan amid reports of corruption

07-Mar-2012 - Food giant Nestle has confirmed to ConfectioneryNews.com that it has suspended trade on its entire product range in Azerbaijan due to ‘supply problems’.

Major players circle Israel but instability impedes investment, says analyst

02-Mar-2012 - The likes of Nestle, Ferrero and Kraft could look to the Israel as the domestic chocolate market booms, according to an analyst.

Strauss faces chocolate price hike accusation in Israel

29-Feb-2012 - Israel’s antitrust authority has received a complaint alleging that the country’s number two food manufacturer The Strauss Group is exploiting its monopoly on the domestic chocolate market by overcharging consumers.

Growing demand for lollipops in Asia, says Baker Perkins

13-Feb-2012 - Baker Perkins is noticing a strong demand from customers in Asia for lollipops, according to company regional sales manager Mark Sheffield.

News in brief

Revolymer enters 450 retail chains in US with degradable gum

09-Feb-2012 - UK-based firm Revolymer has secured distribution agreements with 450 retail chains in the US for its degradable chewing gum Rev7.

Robotics, clean-label and stevia: ProSweets 2012 roundup

03-Feb-2012 - The confectionery trade fair ProSweets ended on Wednesday after four days of intensive trade fair business in Cologne, Germany.

Cocoa can be the new cranberry, says food marketing guru

02-Feb-2012 - Cocoa and its extracts have the potential to rival the success of cranberries as healthful powerhouses, especially if a recently applied for European Union health claim is approved this year, says a leading consultant and author.

Market opportunities in medicated confectionery – Leatherhead

26-Jan-2012 - Medicated confectionery such as cough and throat sweets has enjoyed an upsurge in recent months and there is scope for new products to enter the category, according to Leatherhead Food Research.

Mexican sugar shortage could lead to price hike unless USDA acts – analyst

25-Jan-2012 - Global sugar prices could rise following a shortage in Mexican production unless the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) allows additional imports, according to the Jenkins Sugar Group.

PRODULCE head looking for healthy innovation

23-Jan-2012 - The Spanish confectionery sector must innovate on a health awareness platform, according to the head of the recently formed national confectionery association.

News in brief

Barry Callebaut and Unilever in global cocoa partnership

23-Jan-2012 - Cocoa giant, Barry Callebaut will become a first choice source of cocoa and chocolate for ice cream manufacturer Unilever under a new long-term global partnership.

Tangerine eyes new markets while large chew bars launched in UK

19-Jan-2012 - UK-based Tangerine Confectionery has added large chew bars to its Barratt Sweets brand in the UK market while it considers Scandinavia for other brand product launches planned for Spring.

News in brief

European Cocoa Association becomes Primary Food Processors member

19-Jan-2012 - The European Cocoa Association (ECA) has joined the association of Primary Food Processors (PFP).

Ethical claims create health halos, study suggests

16-Jan-2012 - Ethical production claims such as ‘fair trade’ may influence how consumers perceive calorie content, according to new research published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science.

New Spanish confectionery association formed: PRODULCE

16-Jan-2012 - Five segments of the Spanish sweets market have come together to form the new Spanish Confectionery Association (PRODULCE).

Fazer to enter Asia with Angry Birds partnership

13-Jan-2012 - Finnish firm Fazer has announced a strategic partnership with media company Rovio Entertainment to make Angry Birds branded confectionery as it aims to grow in international markets.

External influences likely to keep sugar prices high, says USDA

06-Jan-2012 - World sugar prices are likely to stay high in 2012 due to external factors such as government policies, oil prices and instability in the Eurozone, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Review of the year: ConfectioneryNews.com's 2011 highlights

22-Dec-2011 - ConfectioneryNews.com takes a look back at 2011, a year that saw continued investment in emerging markets, innovative product developments and big money mergers, all in the face of volatile commodity prices.