Editor's Blog

Pic: CN

Free webinar

The impact of reformulation: producer’s nightmare or brand boost?

By Anthony Myers

Industry leaders take the Bakery&Snacks’ podium to discuss the movement that is increasingly impacting all areas when it comes to creating stand out snacks, from trickier better-for-you formulations that do not compromise on indulgence, to simpler...

A Colombian cocoa farmer peacefully tends to his crop. Pic: Luker Chocolate

Guest post

How cocoa is driving peace in Colombia

By Julia Ocampo

In the rugged landscapes of rural Colombia, where conflict and adversity have cast a shadow for over 50 years, an unlikely hero has emerged: cocoa. Beyond its delectable taste and aroma, cocoa is proving to be a powerful force for driving peace and prosperity...

Can Artificial intelligence solve the cocoa industry - and is it a threat to our livelihoods? Pic: GettyImages

Technology

Can Artificial Intelligence solve cocoa’s sustainability problems?

By Anthony Myers

As an experiment, I turned to the Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot ChatGPT* to obtain an outside eye on the current state of the cocoa industry. I was curious to know if a computer algorithm could come up with credible answers to the main issues that...

Pic: CN

Branding

Say hello to the new look ConfectioneryNews!

By Anthony Myers

Here at ConfectioneryNews, we put our audience at the heart of what we do. For many years, we have provided our readers with a 360-degree view of the chocolate, candy and cocoa industries and our editorial standards remain unsurpassed. We’ve come a long...

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.

Single origin, sustainable cocoa is becoming more in demand. Pic: Cargill

Single origin cocoa: consumer trends

Why single origin cocoa is so important

By Anthony Myers

As interest in cocoa sustainability intensifies among EMEA consumers, two studies highlight why bean-to-bar authenticity is on the rise.

Gummies – and why they are a hot trend in 2022

Podcast

Gummies – and why they are a hot trend in 2022

By Anthony Myers

Tessa Porter is the founder of Sprinkk, a candy development and manufacturing company based in Omaha, Nebraska. She is also a ‘candy scientist’ and has a Masters in food science focusing on sugar crystallization from the University of Wisconsin-Madison...

Farmers cracking cocoa pods, Ghana. Pic: MIA

Op-ed

Reality check: What can we do about cocoa’s price?

By Brett Beach & Dr Kristy Leissle

In this exclusive op-ed for ConfectioneryNews by Brett Beach, Co-founder of sustainable chocolate brand Made in Africa (MIA), and Dr Kristy Leissle, a member of CN’s editorial board and the author of numerous books and articles on cocoa and industry politics,...

From the Editor: Changes to your ConfectioneryNews content

Registration

From the Editor: Changes to your ConfectioneryNews content

By Anthony Myers

From today, we are making changes to the way our readers access some of our news content. After reading two articles, all users will be asked to register with the site, to keep track of important cocoa, chocolate and candy industry news.

Most of the cacao produced in Colombia is consumed internally, and a small portion is exported. Pic: Cacao for Peace

Sustainability

Focus on Cordillera Chocolates and Colombia’s Cacao for Peace initiative

By Anthony Myers

Colombia’s Cordillera Chocolates is a world pioneer in cocoa development. Established almost 60 years ago it has been training cocoa growers in various areas of agricultural practices, sustainability issues, disease control and productivity – and the...

How US consumers are falling in love with Katjes vegan gummies

Sweets & Snacks Expo 2022

How US consumers are falling in love with Katjes vegan gummies

By Anthony Myers

The brand celebrated its entry into the US market with a successful showing at the Sweets & Snacks Expo 2022 in Chicago. We talk to Eliza G Jahn, Head of Marketing at Katjes USA, to pick over some of the highlights of the event.

Colombian cocoa is known for its premium and distinctive flavour. Pic worldbulletin

Special report

Colombia cocoa’s peaceful transition to global prominence

By Anthony Myers

ConfectioneryNews talked to Jose Puyana, ProColombia's Regional Director for Europe, ahead of a Trade Mission to the UK (31 March to 3 April) to attend the London Coffee Festival, where cocoa producers will be also in attendance.

Inside Ghana Gold, MIA’s new bean-to-bar line

Podcast

Inside Ghana Gold, MIA’s new bean-to-bar line

By Anthony Myers

MIA, short for Made in Africa, is branching out from its base in Madagascar to work with cocoa farmers in West Africa. Co-founder Brett Beach tells ConfectioneryNews the reasons behind the move – and also provides an update on the situation on the island...

Pic: CN

Cocoa ingredients trends to watch in 2022

By Anthony Myers

Olam Food Ingredients (ofi) has revealed five top trends for the confectionery sector this year, with planetary health a key focus, along with amplified taste experiences and premiumization all set to dominate.

Belinda Borck, Impact Editor, Tony's Chocolonely. Pic: Tony's Chocolonely

Podcast

Transparency, not profit, is key at Tony’s Chocolonely

By Anthony Myers

Belinda Borck, Impact Editor at Tony's Chocolonely, talks to CN on the company’s latest impact report and why it is not driven by profit but by creating a fair price for the cocoa farmer and a transparent supply chain.

Cocos farmers Bismark Botwe and his wife Joyce Aidoo on their farm in Ghana, Pic: Kristy Leissle

I am a cocoa farmer: Bismark Botwe, Central Region, Ghana

'Farming cocoa definitely needs a side business'

By Kristy Leissle

In the fifth article in her occasional 'I am a cocoa farmer series', cocoa scholar Kristy Leissle talks to Bismark Botwe, about the struggle to make a decent living income from farming cocoa – and why he is now saving the ‘sweatings’ from the...

Ama Ampomaa (right) with her sister Felicia Asare on the family's cocoa farm in Ghana. Pic: Kristy Leissle

I am a cocoa farmer: Ama Ampomaa, Central Region, Ghana

'When cocoa money comes into the country, things get better. Life gets easier'

By Kristy Leissle

In the fourth article in her occasional 'I am a cocoa farmer series', cocoa scholar Kristy Leissle talks to Ama Ampomaa, whose family has owned a cocoa farm for more than a century and today she and her siblings control around one hundred plots...