Commodities

ECA reports a decline in European cocoa grind figures Pic: ConfectioneryNews

Coronavirus

Coronavirus crisis affects European cocoa grinds

By Anthony Myers

Cocoa grinding figures across Europe, the indicator of the demand for cocoa for chocolate and confectionery production, declined in the 3rd quarter of 2020 by 4.7% on the same period the previous year, the European Cocoa Organization (ECA) reports.

 Mars said it remains committed to working with others to create a sustainable cocoa supply chain in-line with its Cocoa for Generations strategy. Pic: Mars Wrigley

Sustainability

Mars welcomes minimum price guarantee for cocoa farmers in West Africa

By Anthony Myers

Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, the world’s largest cocoa producers, have hiked up their minimum price guarantee given to farmers by 21% for the 2020-2021 growing season that starts in October, and has support of major chocolate companies including Mars Wrigley.

Pic: ConfectioneryNews

Commodities

ICCO halves its cocoa surplus estimate for 209/20 season

By Anthony Myers

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has led the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) to halve its forecast for the expected global cocoa surplus in the 2019/20 season as demand for beans from chocolate manufactures slows.

Cargill's annual report highlights the company's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pic: Cargill

Reporting

Cargill annual report: ‘A year like no other’

By Anthony Myers

Global agri-food company’s annual report highlights team members’ agility and perseverance while helping customers and communities navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ghana to increase its cocoa output by 5.8% in next growing season

Ghana

Ghana to increase its cocoa output by 5.8% in next growing season

By Anthony Myers

Ghana is the world’s second-biggest cocoa producer, after its West African neighbour, Cote d’Ivoire. Its main growing season runs from October to September, and while output may increase - a glut in the global market has raised wider concerns about lower...

Olam remains confident it can weather the Covid crisis. Pic: Olam International

Financial results

Olam reports resilient performance in H1 2020 with 44.4% growth

By Anthony Myers

Global food and agri-business, Olam Group, has reported strong results for the first half of 2020 and claimed to make good progress on its Strategic Plan (2019-2024) and Re-organisation Plan announced in January 2020.

Cocoa is the backbone of Ghana’s economy. Pic: Barry Callebaut

In brief

Cocobod set to increase price of Ghana’s cocoa

By Anthony Myers

The Ghana Cocoa Board (Cocobod) is set to raise the price of cocoa in a bid to offset low exports amid the coronavirus pandemic and heavy rains affecting this season’s crop.

Cacao juice is rich in proteins, vitamins, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, sodium and polyphenols and is a natural energizer. Pic: Pacha de Cacao

Health and fitness

Freshly pressed: Why Pacha de Cacao could be a game-changer

By Anthony Myers

Marika van Santvoort, founder of Pacha de Cacao, explains to ConfectioneryNews the benefits of cacao juice, not only for health-conscious western consumers, but also as potential extra revenue for cocoa farmers who are struggling on low incomes.

© GettyImages/dimarik

Digitizing the cocoa value chain in Honduras

By Niamh Michail

From blockchain to crop monitoring with drones, smallholder cocoa producers in Honduras are digitizing their production thanks to a project led by the Inter-American Development Bank.

What next for fair trade food and drink?

Sustainable Food & Drink Podcast

What next for fair trade after confidence crisis?

By Oliver Nieburg

Fair trade standards should become watchdogs instead of the benchmark for sustainability, argues the recently appointed head of sustainable commodities NGO Solidaridad.