News in brief

SunOpta to up cocoa processing capacity

SunOpta plans to increase its cocoa processing capacity with a new facility in Middenmeer, Netherlands as it looks to grow its organic and specialty cocoa business to serve the specialty...

Nestlé promises action to improve women’s lives on cocoa farms

Chocolate giant Nestlé has written to Oxfam promising action on inequality in the cocoa supply chain.

Cocoa may help diabetics regulate insulin, says study

Diets rich in cocoa may help people with diabetes to regulate insulin levels, according to new research.

News in brief

WCF awarded grant for CocoaMap project

The World Cocoa Foundation has been handed a grant to develop bio indicators measuring the progress of global cocoa sustainability.

Oxfam confronts Mondelez, Nestlé and Mars over women’s rights on cocoa farms

Oxfam has called on the three biggest chocolate manufacturers to conduct independent audits on conditions for women on cocoa farms supplying their factories after finding evidence of unequal pay, discrimination...

Cocoa deficit in 2013 no cause for concern, says ICCO

The International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) has said that chocolate manufacturers needn’t panic by its forecasted deficit for the 2012/13 crop season.

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Cargill to up cocoa capacity at Brazilian plant

Cargill plans to increase its cocoa processing capacity by 25% at its plant in Ilhéus, Brazil, to keep up with rising consumer demand for chocolate and cocoa products in the...

EU sugar quota reform: 2015 v 2020? Is it time to give sugar beet a caning?

On the day 27 associations issued a joint open letter imploring the EU to keep to its word and scrap widely despised sugar quotas across the bloc in 2015 -...

EU sugar update

Confectionery SMEs in Europe lobby for sugar quota abolition

Small to medium sized confectioners in Europe yesterday lobbied the European Parliament to end sugar quotas in 2015; a regime they claim has led to inflated prices, scarce supplies, job...

Air velocity indirectly impacts cocoa browning during roasting: Study

Temperature and its duration have the biggest impact on the browning of cocoa beans during roasting, but air velocity also indirectly influences the process, a study finds.

Think tank slams EU sugar regime

EU sugar quotas have created instability, a sugar producer “oligopoly” and have dealt a “harsh blow” to small-to-medium sized confectioners, according to an independent think tank.

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Happy Valentine’s says the NCA… Let’s celebrate by reforming the sugar regime…

The National Confectioners Association (NCA) celebrated Valentine's Day with a renewed push for reform of the sugar regime.

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Agriterra expands cocoa-growing in Sierra Leone

Cocoa trader Agriterra has announced that it has expanded its cocoa and farming operations in Sierra Leone.

CIUS ‘disappointed’ by EC out-of-quota sugar measures

The European Sugar Users Association (CIUS) has criticised the European Commission’s out-of-quota sugar measures which it claims have left sugar users unable to plan ahead.

Philippines as an emerging ‘quality’ cocoa origin

The Philippines can evolve as a top-quality cocoa source and serve the needs of growing demand for chocolate in Asia, according to a start-up company trading beans in the market.

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Cargill to keep grinding in Ivory Coast

Cargill will not move or reduce its cocoa processing operations in the Ivory Coast after successful talks with the national government.

ProSweets 2013 Cologne

Sugar outlook positive despite impending EU quota extension - ISO

The International Sugar Organization (ISO) has said that even if the EU extends sugar quotas to 2020 it will have little negative impact on the world sugar market as stocks...

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ADM ups cocoa processing 17% in Singapore

ADM Cocoa has expanded its cocoa processing in Singapore which increase its output in the country by 17%.

News in brief

Petra Foods restructures ahead of disposal to Callebaut

Petra Foods has restructured its business ahead of a proposed $950m deal to sell its cocoa processing operations to Barry Callebaut.

Temporary EU sugar measures won’t stop high prices: Nestlé

Should the EU extend sugar quotas until 2020 any temporary measures to improve supply for food manufacturers will have little impact on prices and availability, according to Nestlé.

Extended EU sugar quotas bad news for confectioners, says CIUS

The European Parliament Agriculture Committee's vote to extend EU sugar quotas until 2020 will have a negative impact on the confectionery industry and puts small and medium sized manufacturers at risk, according...

German confectionery exports sink to seven year low

Germany confectionery exports were at the lowest level since 2005 last year as the market was hit hard by EU sugar shortages, according to the German confectionery Association (BDSI).

Scaling up cocoa origins closer to China easier said than done, says Mars

Sourcing cocoa closer to the booming Chinese chocolate market is more challenging than it seems, according to Mars.

Asian chocolate market still promising despite lower than expected grinds

Asian chocolate demand is weaker than hoped but the market still represents significant potential, according to an analyst.

News in brief

Olam joins International Cocoa Initiative to fight child labor

Commodities trader Olam has joined the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) to help address child and forced labor in cocoa growing countries.