Mars M&M’s, Hershey’s Reese’s and Nestlé’s Butterfinger are among the top US chocolate brands for the year to date, but which are gaining and which are losing share?
Mondelēz International may need to aim for a “lesser but still important” confectioner, such as Ferrero, to compete in the US confectionery space after ending its pursuit of Hershey, says Mintel.
Ferrero has reportedly made a bid to acquire Belgian biscuits and pastries manufacturer Delacre in a move one analyst says could support a push for North America and reduce its reliance on chocolate.
Ferrero says it will play its part in helping curb obesity levels in Europe by offering small portions tailored to eating occasions, primarily breakfast.
Smaller flexible plastic packs have topped the trend for 2016 as they give consumers a sense of control over snacking, portion sizes and awareness of sugar intake in food and soft drinks, says Euromonitor International.
After finding that 12 kids' food products from Nestlé, Barilla, Ferrero and Danone contain high levels of carcinogen 3-MCPD, Italian consumer group Altroconsumo is calling on parents to stop giving products that contain palm oil to children.
Ferrero is to double the amount of Fairtrade cocoa it purchases and will buy Fairtrade sugar for the first time as it targets 100% ‘sustainable' sugar by 2020.
Portion size control will be a focal point of the European confectionery industry’s push to address consumer concerns on health & nutrition, according to industry association CAOBISCO.
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) unveiled and gave awards to the “most innovative candy and snack ideas, concepts and products” at the annual Sweets & Snacks Expo this year in Chicago.
Global food and drinks businesses including General Mills, Kellogg, Mars, Nestlé and Unilever have pledged to reduce trans fatty acids to “nutritionally insignificant levels” by the end of 2018.
Mainstream players like Hershey may struggle to maintain grip on the US chocolate market amid rising competition and a shift to seasonal and premium products, claims an analyst at Swiss-based financial services firm UBS.
The World Cocoa Foundation’s acting president has defended farmer inclusivity under the industry-backed CocoaAction initiative and says efforts are not limited to yield increases.
Australia’s leading chocolate companies such as Mondelēz, Nestlé, Mars and Lindt have all pledged to source only “sustainable” cocoa for domestically manufactured goods, says the Australian Industry Group.
While nowhere near as popular as salty spreads like Vegemite and peanut butter, or as widely consumed as honey or jam, chocolate and hazelnut spreads have gained a definite cult following among certain sections of the Australian population.
Analysts say Hershey may be eyeing a joint venture or merger with a major international player such as Ferrero, but the US chocolate giant has dismissed the claims as “speculation”.
Cadbury Dairy Milk remains the top selling UK chocolate confectionery brand in convenience stores, but sales have dipped as Mars brands Galaxy and Maltesers grow, according to IRI data.
Taylors of Harrogate will bring the production of its new coffee capsule products in-house as soon as possible, factory manager John Hennighan has said.
The cocoa and chocolate industry acknowledges it must do more to combat cocoa child labor after the number of kids working in hazardous conditions on cocoa farms in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire rises 18%, a report from Tulane University shows.
Global dark chocolate sales are expected to rise 9% each year up to 2019 due to increased demand in developing nations and associated health benefits, according to Technavio.
Euromonitor International unveils the world’s fastest growing chocolate markets and earmarks three beyond India and China that should be high on every confectioner's agenda.
By Jack Skelly, analyst at Euromonitor International
Ferrero has given strong indications it hopes to grow in chocolate confectionery retailing by acquiring UK chocolate maker Thorntons, writes Euromonitor analyst Jack Skelly.
Ferrero should move its newly acquired Thorntons business out of discount stores to help it capitalize on the growing premium segment in the UK and abroad.
Dutch supermarkets Jumbo and C1000 have boycotted Bertolli olive oil and products from Ferrero and Douwe Egberts following a pricing row – although Douwe Egberts products returned to shelves last week after it reached an agreement with the retailers.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has proposed a nutrient profiling tool to help European member states that wish to restrict marketing of certain foods to children. Applying the nutrient profile model to confectionery would not allow its marketing...
Mondelez’s Cadbury Dairy Milk continues to solidify its lead as the UK chocolate market’s bestseller, but sales slide for Mars bar and Snickers following downsizing, according to market analysts IRI.
The European Commission has cleared Ferrero’s acquisition of hazelnut supplier Oltan and says there are no competition concerns due to ample alternative suppliers on the market.
The United Arab Emirates chocolate market is one of the fastest growing chocolate markets across the globe as big players such as Mars and Nestlé up their investment and others eye entry, according to TechSci Research.
Food and Drink Federation (FDF) members including Mondelēz International have signed up to a 250 calorie cap on single-serve confectionery sold in the UK.
A dozen of the world's biggest confectioners have signed up to the World Cocoa Foundation’s CocoaAction - something the organisation says will join the dots of existing sustainability programmes.
UTZ Certified has begun a three-year initiative to develop a certified sustainable hazelnut supply in Turkey, which accounts for 70% of global production.
