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Pic: EXBERRY Colors

ProSweets Cologne 2024

EXBERRY to showcase plant-based colours at ProSweets Cologne

By Anthony Myers

GNT, the company behind EXBERRY food colors, will demonstrate how its plant-based, sustainable portfolio can help maximize product appeal for manufacturers at ProSweets Cologne, which runs this year from 28-31 January.

Stevia seedlings. Pic: Howtian Group

BALANCING HEALTH AND INDULGENCE IN CONFECTIONERY

Colombia’s sugar reduction tax targets confectionery

By Anthony Myers

The global landscape of food consumption is undergoing a significant shift with the introduction of sugar taxes in over 120 countries. These initiatives are primarily aimed at guiding consumers towards healthier lifestyle choices by reducing the intake...

The chocolate, confectionery, and bakery industry has adapted to demands for more healthy sweet treats. Pic: Getty Images

BALANCING HEALTH AND INDULGENCE IN CONFECTIONERY

How confectionery embraced ‘healthy indulgence’

By Anthony Myers

Consumers are increasingly focusing on their health without compromising on taste, which is why healthy indulgence has become a serious trend. Millennials (Gen Y) and Centennials (Gen Z) are looking for foods and beverages that are tasty, good for you,...

Pic: GettyImages

BALANCING HEALTH AND INDULGENCE IN CONFECTIONERY

Food emotions can play a crucial part in healthy indulgence

By Anthony Myers

The notion of ‘healthy indulgence’ represents a shift of emphasis – and an exciting opportunity – for confectioners, chocolatiers, and bakers who are only too well aware that consumers are becoming increasingly health-conscious and interested in sugar...

Lindt's continued brand building will be key in 2024. Pic:  Lindt & Sprüngli

Market watch

Lindt & Sprüngli hit with child labor allegations in cocoa supply chain

By Anthony Myers

Swiss premium chocolate company Lindt & Sprüngli is among the leading players in the premium chocolate space with a presence in over 120 countries worldwide and a portfolio of chocolate brands including Russell Stover, Ghirardelli, Caffarel, Lindor,...

The class of '23 - ATENEA's first graduates celebrate completing module 1. Pic: Chocolate Cordillera

WCF PM 2024

Chocolate Cordillera achieves early wins for its female cocoa farmers

By Anthony Myers

At the end of 2023, Colombian sustainable brand Chocolate Cordillera announced that 106 female cocoa farmers from Urabá Antioquia had completed the first module of its ATENEA sustainability program, giving some the confidence to become fully independent...

As consumers become accustomed to time-efficient products and tools, they will be more receptive to adopting technologies like augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI). GettyImages/Bernhard Lang

Advancing food tech in 2024: The year of convenience

By Natasha Spencer-Joilliffe

A new era of convenience will emerge in 2024 as ever-evolving augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) technology streamlines consumers’ meal planning, shopping and cooking habits.

The award-winning NOMO caramel bar. Pic: NOMO

Free-from

NOMO caramel bar wins gold at Veggie Awards

By Anthony Myers

Vegan and free from chocolate brand, NOMO says it ‘won big’ at the 2023 Veggie Awards, taking home gold in the Vegan Snacks category for its Caramel Filled Bar.

Beers made with cacaofruit. Pic: Cabosse Naturals

Trends

Beer and wine brands jump on the Cacaofruit bandwagon

By Anthony Myers

Apart from the positive impact on the planet - potentially preventing millions of tonnes of fruit waste – cacao fruit opens up new categories after the pulp, juice, and powder from the cocoa pod are used, according to latest research.

Pic: Mars Wrigley

M&M’S Cookie Dough hits the shelves across Australia

By Anthony Myers

Brand owner Mars Wrigley is rolling out a new flavour ‘world-first’ innovation across Australia this month, combining consumers’ love of chocolate & cookie dough into one bite-sized treat.

West Africa's cocoa crop has been boosted by the weather. Pic: CN

Markets

Rains in West Africa lift cocoa prospects for the region

By Anthony Myers

Unseasonable and welcome rain in West Africa is expected to boost the main cocoa crop, improve the quality of beans and lower the price of cocoa on the market, according to farming sources.

KitKat 70% Dark is available in the UK. Pic: Nestlé

NPD

Nestlé launches 70% dark chocolate KitKat bar

By Anthony Myers

In a first for both KitKat and Nestlé Confectionery in the UK and Ireland, the dark chocolate bar is made with cocoa mass sourced from farmers and their families enrolled in Nestlé’s cocoa income accelerator programme.

Lindt successfuly launched a vegan alternative chocolate bar in 2022. Pic: Lindt & Sprungli

Global vegan chocolate market expected to be worth $2bn by 2032

By Anthony Myers

The global vegan chocolate market is estimated to be worth a conservative $2 billion by 2032, and as the Veganuary campaign begins, the surge in awareness about the benefits of plant-based food and confectionery products could see an even greater growth...

'People will always want to treat themselves,' new research into chocolate trends reveals. Pic: GettyImages

Trends

The shape and taste of chocolate in 2024 – what to expect …

By Anthony Myers

Chocolate confectionery is a significant market, expected to be worth over $128 billion (130 billion Euro) in global retail sales by the end of 2024. With a volume growth of +2% over the next 5 years to 2027, it is also a dynamic market, so what trends...

The European Union's deforestation bill is triggered at the end of 2024. Is the cocoa sector ready? Pic: EU

Free-to-listen webinar - Speakers Announced!

Time’s up: EUDR webinar - speakers announced - how ready is cocoa?

By Anthony Myers

ConfectioneryNews will be presenting a special live webinar on Tuesday 23 January 24 at 17:00Paris / 10:00AM Chicago to discuss the new requirements for market access for cocoa and chocolate suppliers into the European Union.

Chocolate Cordillera became the first private company in Colombia to register two new cacao varieties (CNCH12 and CNCH13). Pic: CN

Special report

How Cacao Fino de Aroma put Colombia back on the map

By Anthony Myers

It was almost 20 years ago that Colombian cocoa was officially recognized by the ICCO (International Cocoa Organization) as Cacao Fino de Aroma (fine aroma beans). Almost 95% of Colombia’s total cocoa production is classed as Cacao Fino de Aroma by the...

Established n Rye, East Sussex, in 2013, Knoops now has 15 stores in locations across the UK. Pic: Knoops

Financial results

Knoops strikes chocolate gold with Wonka movie tie-in

By Anthony Myers

Knoops, the UK retailer of artisan chocolate drinks, is celebrating a merry Christmas after announcing solid financial growth and ambitious expansion plans for 2024 – partly the result of becoming the brand partner of choice for Wonka, the hit film prequel...

Increased food and drink costs are a challenging but accepted outcome of high overall inflation rates. Yet when overall inflation reduces, but food inflation remains elevated, this brings with it confusion and questions. GettyImages/LordHenriVoton

‘Greedflation’ muddies the food industry’s financial landscape

By Natasha Spencer-Joilliffe

Latest figures show that although inflation in Europe’s euro-using countries has slowed, real food inflation remains higher and seemingly undeterred, raising questions about whether unfair profiteering and competition are to blame.