All news

ofi's Dezaaan single origin cocoa. Pic: ofi

Special report

Asian consumers driving demand for single origin cocoa

By Anthony Myers

As ConfectioneryNews reported last month, the trend for single-origin cocoa ingredients has been growing for some time, as consumers with a sweet craving also look more closely at how and where their cocoa is sourced.

Decorating the Christmas tree is popular in Utah (82%), New York (79%) and Vermont (79%), according to a Hershey survey. Pic: GettyImages

Seasonal

Hershey covers all candy bases with Christmas heat map for consumers

By Anthony Myers

American candy lovers can now discover what Christmas tradition is most popular in their state with Hershey’s holiday tradition heat map and then use the candy pairing guide to make sure they’re stocking up on the right iconic sweets to help make holiday...

Pic: Chocolove

Seasonal

Chocolove rings in the season with Tree-Shaped Chocolates

By Anthony Myers

Chocolove is announcing the return of its popular Tree-Shaped Bites in Pouches, which are individually wrapped, mini chocolate trees in Peppermint Crème and Hazelnut Truffle flavors, in the run-up to Christmas.

Brownie Brittle is joining the Second Nature Brands' family. Pic: Second Nature Brands

M&As

Second Nature Brands acquires Brownie Brittle

By Anthony Myers

Second Nature Brands, a US-based creator of premium, nutritional and better-for-you snacks and treats, has announced it has completed the acquisition of Brownie Brittle from Encore Consumer Capital.

© GettyImages/Richard Drury

EU agrees deforestation law

By Jane Byrne

A provisional political agreement has been reached between the EU Parliament and the Council in relation to EU regulation on deforestation-free supply chains.

Clean Food Group is fermenting yeast to develop a lab-grown, bio-equivalent alternative to palm oil, which has attracted the attention of ingredients major Doehler Group. Image credit: Laurie Lapworth: University of Bath

Doehler invests in lab-grown palm oil alternative

By Flora Southey

The German ingredients supplier is investing in UK-based Clean Food Group (CFG) – a start-up developing a bio-equivalent cultivated alternative to palm oil – via its investment arm, Doehler Ventures.

Germany's popular chocolate Santa Clauses are proving more popular this year. Pic: CN

Seasonal

Germany’s chocolate Santa Clauses enjoy export boom

By Anthony Myers

Despite soaring energy costs and supply chain issues, the German confectionery industry said it has produced approximately 5.6% more chocolate Santa Clauses for the Christmas season this year.

Raw cacao pioneers Lovechock has a new owner. Pic: Lovechock

M&As

Lovechock eyes expansion after company takeover

By Anthony Myers

Lovechock, the Dutch raw cacao company, has been acquired by Belgian family-owned company Pauwels Engineering NV, the two parties have announced in a statement.

Pic: gettyimages

Seasonal

Chocolate advent calendar guide

By Anthony Myers

Not bought a chocolate advent calendar yet? Here is a selection to help you choose and get in the festive mood, from vegan options to luxury best buy ...

Pic: Hames Chocolate

Seasonal

Hames Chocolates warms up winter with new hot chocolate range

By Anthony Myers

UK B2B company Hames Chocolates has launched a new hot chocolate range for the autumn and winter months, aimed at coffee shops, in-store cafés as well as farm shops and delis wanting to satisfy their customers.

Ourput of West African cocoa beans fell last month. Pic: CN

Commodities

Uncertain supply and demand undercuts cocoa prices

By Anthony Myers

Recent flash flooding in West and Central Africa has hindered Cote d’Ivoire’s transportation of cocoa beans from the farms to the ports and could be the reason for the reduction of cocoa arrivals seen during the first few weeks of the main 2022-23 season...

Research by Délifrance reveals that healthier options could encourage 21% of consumers to eat more bread. Pic: Délifrance

Healthy snacking

The meteoric rise of the conscious consumer

By Gill Hyslop

These consumers still want to purchase indulgent pastries or breads out-of-home or on-the-go, but these days are placing more emphasis on treats that are guilt-free.

Brands will have 365 healthy opportunities to appeal to consumers in 2023. Pic: GettyImages/anyaivanova

Healthy snacking

What will drive the healthy snack space in 2023?

By Gill Hyslop

While snacking has long been associated with indulgence and fulfilling a guilty craving, a raft of new offers are popping up on the market that more closely align with consumers’ holistic wellness goals.