Commodities

Gerald Manley. Pic: ofi

Business

Gerard Manley announces retirement as ofi Cocoa CEO

By Anthony Myers

Gerard Manley, CEO of ofi’s Cocoa business and the group’s Chief Sustainability Officer (CSO), has announced he will will retire at the end of June 2023 after 25 years with the company.

The Olam Group reported 'steady 2022 performance'. Pic: Olam Group

Olam Group remains optimistic, despite drop in earnings

By Anthony Myers

The Singapore-based agribusiness said it remains ‘cautiously optimistic' about its prospects for 2023’ despite reporting 24.5% lower earnings of S$200.0 million (US$148.52m) for the year ending 31 December 2022.

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.

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...

Peter Boone, CEO of the Barry Callebaut Group, at the launch last month of its '2nd Generation Chocolate' innovation. Pic: Barry Callebaut

Financial results

Drop in profits at Barry Callebaut after factory shutdown earlier in year

By Anthony Myers

Barry Callebaut caught the market by surprise by rescheduling its Full-Year Results 2021-22 analysts and media call to Tuesday instead of today (Wednesday 2 November) after the figures were published early due to an ‘unforeseen event’. The world’s largest...

Cocoa and flower growers experienced the strongest rebounds in 2021, according to Fairtrade. Pic: Fairtrade

Sustainability

Fairtrade cocoa farmers see boost in earnings, according to new report

By Anthony Myers

Cocoa farmers, as well as workers in other commodities and crops, experienced a boost in Fairtrade Premium earnings thanks to a recovery in Fairtrade product sales throughout 2021, Fairtrade International’s latest annual report has revealed.

Pic: GettyImages

Economy

Sterling crisis will impact cocoa farmer incomes, Fairtrade warns

By Anthony Myers

After the pound hit a record low against the US dollar at the end of September, the Fairtrade Foundation is warning of the potential impact of the market volatility, both on farmers in low-income countries and the UK shoppers who buy the food they grow.

The trading community has encouraged the growth of cocoa production, the ECA Forum was told. Pic: CN

ECA Cocoa Forum 2022

Where’s the pay-off for price stability in cocoa?

By Anthony Myers

The ECA’s Cocoa Forum 2022 looked at the supply & demand functionality in the industry regarding the right package of policy actions in a fluctuating market.

Cadmium is a problem for cocoa farmers mainly in Central and South America. Pic: Republica del Cacao

Special report

How to reduce cadmium in cocoa

By Anthony Myers

The result of a three-year study by a multi-disciplinary panel of four experts into the sources of lead and cadmium in cocoa and chocolate - and how levels may be reduced in the future - has been published by the National Confectioners Association (NCA)...

Cameroon has announced an increase in its cocoa output, Pic: tridge.com

Commodities

Cameroon records slight increase in annual cocoa production

By Anthony Myers

Compared to 292,471 tonnes of beans produced and marketed during the 2020-2021 season, Cameroon’s Office national du cacao et du Café (ONCC) said a total of 295,163 tonnes of beans were harvested in the 2021-2022 season.

Nigeria is the fourth largest cocoa-producing country in the world. Pic: CN

Commodities

Nigeria informs ICCO of plans to increase cocoa production

By Anthony Myers

Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, has doubled down on the country’s pledge to increase its cocoa production from the present 340,000 tonnes to 500,000 tonnes by 2024.

Are Swiss consumers aware of and concerned about palm oil? GettyImages/ic36006

What do Swiss consumers think of palm oil?

By Flora Southey

Fresh research has investigated consumer perceptions of palm oil in Switzerland and whether they are familiar with the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) label.

ofi is shooting to achieve Bee Friendly certification across 100% of its almond orchards. Pic: GettyImages/maexico

ofi sets new benchmark for the almond industry

By Gill Hyslop

The nut arm of global ingredients specialist has announced its first sustainability targets for its 50,000 acres of almond orchards and farming operations in Australia, the US and Vietnam.

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.

Nigerian farmers produce an average of 350-400kg cocoa per hectare. Pic: CN

Cocoa

Nigeria ramps up efforts to join cocoa LID scheme

By Anthony Myers

Nigeria’s cocoa sector has renewed its efforts to join the Living Income Differential (LID) set up by neighbouring Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire to protect their farmers by increasing income.