All news articles for June 2022

Pic: Chocxo

Retail

Chocxo signs deal with Costco in US for its KETO snaps

By Anthony Myers

Chocxo has announced its Dark Chocolate KETO Coconut, Almond & Sea Salt Snaps are now available at Costco US locations nationwide for a special limited-time promotion as consumer demand for better-for-you chocolate continues to grow.

The EU is set introduce legislation on deforestation and corporate sustainability due diligence. Pic: EU

sustainability

EU and West African cocoa sector endorse new Alliance on Sustainable Cocoa

By Anthony Myers

At the end of the recent ‘Cocoa Talks’, between EU, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, and the cocoa sector, parties jointly endorsed an ‘Alliance on Sustainable Cocoa’, an ambitious roadmap to improve the economic, social and environmental sustainability of cocoa...

Jack Steijn (centre), Director & Co-founder of Equipoise and Chocoa, sits in on one of the hybrid sessions from the conference. Pic: CN

Chocoa 2022

Hybrid Chocoa 2022 stays on message

By Anthony Myers

The Chocoa Conference returned to Amsterdam earlier this month with a live-virtual hybrid get-together of important stakeholders from the cocoa sector.

Pic: CN

Grindings

Slight climb in cocoa prices as chocolate production slows

By Anthony Myers

Cocoa prices rallied in the week ending 24 June, after the Cote d’Ivoire government reported that cocoa farmers sent a cumulative 2.24 MMT of cocoa to its ports from 1 October 1 to 19 June, down -1.8% y/y.

UK manufacturers and importers of 10 or more tonnes of plastic packaging are expected to submit their PPT return by end of July or face penalties. Pic: GettyImages/Rafmaster

Are you Plastic Packaging Tax return ready?

By Gill Hyslop

Packaging data specialist Ecoveritas has issued a reminder to UK businesses to be prepared to submit their Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) return before the end of July.

This year's 12 inductees into the Candy Hall of Fame. Pic: NCSA

Leadership

Registration open for the 2022 Candy Hall of Fame

By Anthony Myers

Organisers, the National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA), said the 2022 Candy Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held at the Renaissance Tampa Hotel International Plaza in Tampa, Florida, on Saturday, 15 October.

How US consumers are falling in love with Katjes vegan gummies

Sweets & Snacks Expo 2022

How US consumers are falling in love with Katjes vegan gummies

By Anthony Myers

The brand celebrated its entry into the US market with a successful showing at the Sweets & Snacks Expo 2022 in Chicago. We talk to Eliza G Jahn, Head of Marketing at Katjes USA, to pick over some of the highlights of the event.

Micaela Illy, incoming CEO of Rococo Chocolates. Pic: Rococo Chocolates

Mergers & acquisitions

Iconic London brand Rococo Chocolates bought by Prestat Group

By Anthony Myers

The London based premium chocolatier is recognised for the refinement of its chocolates and its design-led packaging, while Prestat is a heritage premium chocolate produce, also based in the UK capital.

Visitors arrive at the ISM event, which went ahead in 2022 despite the pandemic. Pic:Koelnmesse

ISM/ProSweets 2023

ISM 2023 moved to April, organisers look at axing ProSweets

By Anthony Myers

Next year’s ISM sweets and snacks fair, the largest in Europe and which historically is held at the beginning of February each year, is set to be radically overhauled, organisers Koelnmesse said.

A’capella's beautifully crafted  packaging creates 'a harmonious symphony of delicious design elements' said The Dieline. Pic: A'cappella Chocolate

Sweets & Snacks Expo 2022

A’cappella Chocolate celebrates success at Sweets & Snacks Expo 2022

By Anthony Myers

A’cappella Chocolate came away from the Sweets & Snacks Expo 2022 with two major accolades after the Fresno-based company received praise for its colourful confections and was also named as a ‘standout brand’ by The Dieline.

Peter Blommer. Pic: Blommer Chocolate Company

Corporate

Peter Blommer to step down as Blommer Chocolate CEO

By Anthony Myers

Blommer Chocolate Company has announced that Peter Blommer will step down from his role as CEO and assume the new role of Vice Chairman as part of a planned transition.

Hershey's Cocoa For Good Strategy aims to improve farmer livelihoods in cocoa-growing communities. Pic: Hershey Company

Governance

Hershey ramps up its ESG priorities

By Anthony Myers

The Hershey Company’s evolution from sustainability to integrating ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) priorities into its business strategy and operations continues with the sharing of its 2021 ESG Report.

More 'liquid data' from IRI with extend Lindt's reach into new markets. Pic: Lindt & Sprüngli

Insights

Lindt taps up IRI for more big data on chocolate consumption

By Anthony Myers

Swiss chocolatier Lindt & Sprüngli, has announced it has renewed a multi-year partnership with market analytics company IRI, and will start using its ‘Liquid Data’ – the industry’s most advanced integrated big data and insights platform.

ECOM's Smarter Cocoa Charter sets out its sustainability aims. Pic: ECOM

Sustainability

ECOM launches its first Smarter Cocoa Charter

By Anthony Myers

Global cocoa supplier ECOM has published its first Smarter Cocoa Charter to set out its sustainability mission and commitments ‘to grow a smarter future for cocoa’.

The new dark range of Maltesers. Pic: Mars Wrigley

NPD

Maltesers go to the dark side with new chocolate addition

By Anthony Myers

Mars Wrigley has launched a dark chocolate version of its best-selling Maltesers - the first innovation in almost a decade following previous plays on the iconic flavour, including orange and mint varieties.