Sustainable Sourcing

The Chocoa conference is normally held n Amsterdam's Beurs van Berlage, Pic: Equipoise.

Chocoa 2022

Chocoa pulls online format, hopes to go live later in year

By Anthony Myers

The influential Chocoa conference, which was planned as a virtual meet-up for the second year running in February because of the COVID pandemic, has been postponed until later in year, organisers Equipoise have confirmed.

Pic: CN

Cocoa ingredients trends to watch in 2022

By Anthony Myers

Olam Food Ingredients (ofi) has revealed five top trends for the confectionery sector this year, with planetary health a key focus, along with amplified taste experiences and premiumization all set to dominate.

The Coalition said it looks forward to discussing the proposals in detail with the Commission, it said. Pic: CN

Regulation

Cocoa Coalition applauds EC on new deforestation legislation

By Anthony Myers

The ‘Cocoa Coalition' of companies, NGOs, certification organisations and multistakeholder organisations has welcomed the European Commission’s (EC) publication of its proposed regulation on deforestation.

The Chocovision Conference becomes part of the ECA's Forum, after 10 years as a standalone event in Davos, where it attracted industry leaders and politicians. Pic: Chocovision

ECA Forum 2022

Chocovision cocoa conference to become part of the ECA’s Rome Forum

By Anthony Myers

Barry Callebaut’s Chocovision, one of the key conferences for senior business leaders and key stakeholders in the cocoa, chocolate and confectionery industry, is to be integrated into next year’s European Cocoa Association (ECA) Forum in Rome.

TCHO's  new-look packaging. Pic: TCHO

Free-from

TCHO chocolate company makes move to 100% plant-based

By Anthony Myers

Pioneering craft chocolate maker TCHO (pronounced 'cho'), has announced it is replacing its milk chocolate-based bars with plant-based dairy alternatives and introducing a complete packaging makeover.

Cocos farmers Bismark Botwe and his wife Joyce Aidoo on their farm in Ghana, Pic: Kristy Leissle

I am a cocoa farmer: Bismark Botwe, Central Region, Ghana

'Farming cocoa definitely needs a side business'

By Kristy Leissle

In the fifth article in her occasional 'I am a cocoa farmer series', cocoa scholar Kristy Leissle talks to Bismark Botwe, about the struggle to make a decent living income from farming cocoa – and why he is now saving the ‘sweatings’ from the...

The French initiative is the result of long-standing work by the entire cocoa sector. Pic: Fairtrade International

Regulation

French government launches new initiative for sustainable cocoa

By Anthony Myers

The French government has recently updated its commitment for sustainable cocoa with a new initiative that brings together the State, industry companies, traders, distribution brands, civil society organisations, research institutes working in the cocoa...

The EU has taken a close look at responsible consumption and production, the WCF Partnership Meeting was told.  Pic EU

WCFPM21

Will EU legislation usher in a new era for cocoa sustainability?

By Anthony Myers

The World Cocoa Foundation’s Partnership Meeting heard a timely debate on EU landmark legal proposals set to be imposed that will mean that cocoa, along with other commodities such as palm oil and beef, linked to deforestation, will be banned from entering...

H!P's 4-Pack is now widely available in stores in the UK - and online. Pic: H!P

Plant-based special edition

Plant-Powered H!P earns first grocery listings in UK

By Anthony Myers

Vegan-friendly oat milk chocolate H!P (Happiness in Plants), has received a boost to its free-from agenda with nationwide availability online and in stores.

Climate change and extreme weather conditions will threaten Fairtrade farmers' livelihoods. Pic: GettyImages

Enviornment

Fairtrade Farmers issue urgent warning on climate change to COP26

By Anthony Myers

As the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (also known as COP26) gets underway today in a rainy Glasgow, a new Fairtrade study has revealed findings that ‘paints a bleak picture’ of the future for cocoa and other commodities.

Profits from this year's Love Cocoa Advent Calendar will go towards the NHS. Pic: Love Cocoa

Seasonal

Britain’s NHS to receive 100% profits from Love Cocoa advent calendar

By Anthony Myers

Premium British chocolate brand Love Cocoa created by Cadbury scion James Cadbury has launched a new Luxury Chocolate Truffle Charity Advent Calendar as part of its 2021 Christmas Collection, with all profits going to Britain’s National Health Service...