All news

Source: Incredo

Incredo Sugar G2 provides versatility across categories

By Deniz Ataman

Foodtech company Incredo expands its sugar reduction solutions with the launch of Incredo Sugar G2, a concentrated version of its clean label, protein-sucrose blend Incredo Sugar made from cane and/or beet sugar and a dairy- or plant-based protein to...

Hershey's limited edition SHE bar. Pic: Hershey Company

International Women's Day

Hershey's limited-edition SHE bar returns for fourth year

By Anthony Myers

Hershey has announced it is marking International Women's Day (Friday, 8 March) and Women's History Month with limited-edition Hershey's SHE bars highlighting the impact of women and girls from all walks of life.

The detrimental effect of unfavourable weather conditions is hitting global cocoa supplies. Pic: GettyImages

Commodities

ICCO predicts 11% drop in global cocoa output, after El Niño effect

By Anthony Myers

The El Niño weather phenomenon, which hit the west coast of Africa last year, carrying unseasonal heavy rains followed by dry heat, is the main factor in an 11% drop in the season’s main cocoa harvest, according to the latest figures from the International...

Barry Callebaut Group CEO Peter Feld. Pic: Barry Callebaut

Jobs

Barry Callebaut to axe 18% of global workforce

By Anthony Myers

Barry Callebaut Group, the world’s largest chocolate and cocoa supplier, has announced it is cutting approximately 2,500 manufacturing and administration jobs across its global operations.

From 'swicy' to sour and fermentation, Puratos predicts an exciting year for the baked goods sector. Pic: GettyImages/Willie B. Thomas

On the rise: The top bakery trends for 2024

By Gill Hyslop

Gut health, fermentation, plants and the classics will dominate the headlines this year, according to Puratos’ proprietary Taste Tomorrow ‘always-on’ research program. But there’s more in store, too.

Predictions are for a global deficit of cocoa beans around 500,000 metric tons for the the current 2023-24 season. Pic: CN

Markets

ICCO urges major rethink as cocoa futures hit another record high

By Anthony Myers

Cocoa futures in London and New York rose to fresh record highs on trading platform ICE on Monday this week as increasing concern about supply shortages in Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, the world's top two producers, left buyers scrambling for beans from...

Consumer demand for functional gummies keeps growing. Pic: GettyImages

Special report: Gummies keep on growing

Nutraceuticals are at the centre of gummy appeal

By Anthony Myers

Darling Ingredients’ health brand, Rousselot, has been at the forefront of much of the innovation involving clean-label gelatin and collagen-based solutions and has discovered a way to fill them with the correct amounts of nutraceuticals.

Pic: GettyImages

Special report: Gummies keep on growing

Gummy market: space for growth for new competitors

By Anthony Myers

The Global Jellies & Gummies Market size is expected to reach $19.9 billion by 2030, rising at a market growth of 4.2% CAGR during the forecast period, according to fresh research by ResearchAndMarkets.com.

Pic: GettyImages

Special report: Gummies keep on trending

Go gummies! Whether hard or soft, consumers love the tastes and textures

By Anthony Myers

At last year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago, new and innovative gummy products proved irresistible to confectionery industry delegates with new lines from manufacturers, including Harribo, Hammond, Bazzoka, and Mars. Ultimately, the diversity of...

Nestlé finishes the year on a disappointing financial note after reporting its full-year 2023 results. Pic: Nestlé

Financial Results

KitKat gives Nestlé a break after sales dip

By Anthony Myers

KitKat, once again, proved to be Nestlé’s most resilient confectionery treat recording strong growth across all regions in what was otherwise a disappointing full-year results report for 2023 with lower than expected sales due to high inflation and lower...

Pic: NCSA

Industry voices

NCSA to oversee this year’s Kettle Awards

By Anthony Myers

The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) has announced it is organising the prestigious 77th Kettle Awards with a ceremony on Tuesday, 14 May, to coincide with the 2024 Sweets & Snacks Expo in Indianapolis.

Sarah Atkinson. Pic: NCA

Appointments

Sarah Atkinson joins NCA executive team

By Anthony Myers

The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has announced that Sarah Atkinson will join the organisation as vice president of membership & business development.

Ferrero has expanded its portfolio of brands. Pic: Ferrero Group

Financial results

US acquisition and organic growth boost Ferrero’s turnover

By Anthony Myers

The Ferrero Group said it is continuing its growth trajectory with a 21% increase in turnover to €17 billion ($18.25bn) and a 14% rise in its global workforce to 47,212 employees, following the recent successful strategic acquisition of North of ice cream...

Scientists have analysed consumer purchasing behaviours of goods with fair trade and organic labels on their packaging. GettyImages/TommL

Fair trade label retains purchasing power despite recession, study shows

By Natasha Spencer-Joilliffe

Using a combination of social psychology and economic models, a new UK study shows fair trade product sales increased in popularity during an economic downturn while organic product sales dropped, indicating a divide between the two labels’ favourability...

Could low-sugar chocolate actually taste better? GettyImages/Chris Ryan

Could low-sugar chocolate actually taste better?

By Donna Eastlake

Less is apparently more when it comes to the amount of sugar used in the creation of the perfect chocolate bar. So will manufacturers reduce the amount of sugar they use in the making of this sweet treat and will consumers welcome the change?

Pic: GettyImages

Seasonal

Love me do: Americans want sweet treats for Valentine’s Day

By Anthony Myers

Chocolate and candy's role as a social currency has been reinforced during the Valentine’s Day season in the US, with 92% of Americans claiming they plan to share confectionery with friends, family, and loved ones.

Image source: Getty/urbazon

Super Bowl ranks high among holiday weekends, snacks take center stage

By Deniz Ataman

As Las Vegas prepares for the estimated $215bn economic growth from the additional 215,00 visitors for the Super Bowl, CPG companies and retailers have a significant opportunity to feature value-added offerings for viewers across the country, according...

As the clock ticks on the application of the EUDR, there were still plenty of unanswered questions in Amsterdam surrounding its guidelines. Pic: WCF

WCF Partnership Meeting 2024

How ready is the EU Commission to implement its deforestation regulation?

By Anthony Myers

Apart from farmer income/poverty, the most discussed topic on day one of the World Cocoa Foundation Partnership Meeting in Amsterdam was the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) that will be implemented at the end of this year.

Mawuli Coffie. Pic: WCF

WCF Partnership Meeting 2024

World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) appoints new programme director for Ghana

By Anthony Myers

Ahead of The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) Partnership Meeting in Amsterdam this week, the organisation has announced that Mawuli Coffie will be its country director for the WCF Ghana Office as part of a new senior leadership team spearheading an ambitious...