Following recent news that The European Union will contribute €25m to boost the sustainability of cocoa production in Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana and Cameroon, the first session at this year’s Chocoa21 conference, held online from Amsterdam, could turn...
UPL, a global leader in sustainable agriculture products and solutions, announced it has joined the European Cocoa Association (ECA) as an associate member. We talk to Florent Clair, UPL’s Sustainability Co-Ordinator, about the company's long history...
With Veganuary in full swing and more popular than ever, Paul Morris, Luker Chocolate’s UK sales manager, chats to ConfectioneryNews about the 123-year-old family run company and its single origin Cacao Fino de Aroma.
From the WCF and Tony’s Chocolonely hosting fantastic events online, Barry Callebaut launching ground-breaking 3D-printing and the NCA’s John Downs steadying the ship in Florida as the coronavirus begins to swirl around the confectionery industry, we...
Given the unprecedented upheaval of this year, predicting ingredients trends for 2021 might seem a risky business, writes Wouter Stomph, North America Head of Product Development & Innovation, Olam Cocoa, as he explains why the whole won’t be greater...
I am a cocoa farmer: Daniel Aboagye, Western Region, Ghana
In the third of her occasional 'I am a cocoa farmer series', cocoa scholar Kristy Leissle talks to Daniel Aboagye, who is not only a farmer but a recorder, or purchasing clerk, for the Kuapa Kokoo licensed cocoa buying company (LBC), so he has...
From Advent calendars to edible snowmen and cannabis creations … it is the most chocolately time of year and we look at some of the best from UK makers.
A star-studded list of ‘serious friends’, including rapper Pharrell Williams and actor Idris Elba, joined the Dutch ethical chocolate brand at a virtual fairground meeting full of razzmatazz and meaning, watched by choco fans around the globe.
‘Fighting Child Labor in Cocoa: Building Partnerships & Scaling Up Action’ was an important session of the first day of the WCF’s 2020 Partnership Meeting, where the ICI’s Nick Weatherill and other panel members attempted to put into context the vexing...
This year’s World Cocoa Foundation Partnership Meeting kicked off online earlier today with a keynote opening address from its President, Richard Scobey.
A wide-ranging career in the food service industry has more than adequately prepared Tracey Hughes for her current role as managing director of UK ingredients distributor Henley Bridge. In our latest podcast, she talks about the business challenges imposed...
WCF’s Partnership Meeting will be the only global conference dedicated to cocoa sustainability in 2020 when it convenes online on Wednesday 18 November.
The global consumption of confectionery is growing steadily, especially during the coronavirus pandemic, and for manufacturers of chocolate, sweets, chewing gum and other confectionery, this means making their production facilities fast, flexible, economical...
Three of the top international cocoa companies - Barry-Callebaut, Ritter Sport and Valrhona - have been awarded a sustainability ‘Oscar’ at the Hallbars’ recent ceremony in Sweden.
Following on from the Group’s groundbreaking ceremony in Ecuador for a new state-of-the-art cocoa facility, Barry Callebaut is ramping up its presence in the world’s third largest cocoa-growing country with a wider introduction of its Cocoa Horizons programme....
It has been five months since the article ‘Freshly pressed - Why Freebird Cacao Juice could be a game-changer’ was published by ConfectioneryNews, and a lot has happened since then.
As we enter the crucial four-week run-up to Halloween, no one will be looking closer at how this year’s event will unfold than John Downs, President and CEO of the National Confectioners Association. In an exclusive interview with ConfectioneryNews, we...
Extensive research carried out by the Barry Callebaut group into consumer responses around the coronavirus pandemic has revealed new implications and opportunities for the confectionery market. In an exclusive video interview, Bas Smit, Global Vice President...
Interview with Satelligence founder and CEO, Niels Wielaard
Satelligence is a new company that specializes in assessing patterns and trends in forests, agriculture and water, providing highly detailed satellite images for mapping purposes to help combat deforestation.
As the conversation in the media and in our communities around Halloween and whether or not it is canceled continues, I want to share a simple but important thought with the industry and our retail partners as we move into the next several weeks of our...
Liz Richardson, managing director and partner at transformative communications agency HeyHuman, looks at the challenges for chocolate companies hoping to stay relevant in a post-COVID world.
Two new reports published by the WCF and the Better Than Cash Alliance highlight why now, more than ever, the country’s impoverished farmers should get all the help they need in going digital.
The coronavirus may have halted non-essential travel right now, but when the restrictions are lifted Peru is a go-to destination for cocoa lovers who have been missing their chocolate fix
“The chocolate industry is broken on two levels,” claims Tim McCollum, founder and CEO of Beyond Good chocolate, in CN’s latest podcast with influential players in the cocoa sector.
COCO - The Art of Chocolate is an artisan chocolatier based in Edinburgh, Scotland, that places its emphasis not only on ethically sourced cocoa and fine couverture, but also the meticulous designs on its wrappers.
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.
Former pastry chef and Nestlé senior confiseur publishes new book that bridges food art and science. He tells ConfectioneryNews about the idea behind his latest publication.
We are proud to announce our new editorial advisory board comprised of key figures from the cocoa and chocolate industry assembled to help ConfectioneryNews maintain its position as a leading voice in the sector and help with coverage of industry-related...
Brands that make many of our favorite Easter treats, are mobilizing to help fight the COVID-19 virus in cocoa farming communities and are staying focused on continued investment in the long-term to provide them with sustainable livelihoods.
To truly understand and implement an effective sustainability initiative, it’s critical to evaluate the social, environmental and economic impacts of production.
Cacao beans have been consumed by humans for over 3,000 years and the ingredient is well-known for its wide range of health benefits, recent research suggests it can provide stronger protection against influenza virus infection.
Cocoda Ltd specializes in the export of premium chocolate with a global network of retailers and partners. MD David Hill started his career in confectionery at United Biscuits and was mentored by Hotel Chocolat's Angus Thirlwell before setting up...
Ethical and premium chocolate brand MIA, short for Made In Africa, has announced a multi-faceted tree planting program in Madagascar to offset sea freight carbon emissions, rebuild lemur habitats and provide local populations with forest fruits.
President and CEO plays the straight man this time as he sets out the organization’s agenda for the next five years and promises to act on cocoa sustainability, look at the issues around the CBD trend and maintain the confectionery industry’s image as...
Arriving on the back of ‘Veganuary’, impassioned speeches on veganism by Hollywood actor Joaquin Phoenix, and a raft of new plant-based launches, companies promoting healthy alternatives became this year’s trendsetters at ProSweets Cologne.
The Belgian chocolate supplier, known for its innovations, is now offering the world’s first personalized 3D printed chocolate at scale through its global decoration brand Mona Lisa.
The Chocoa Conference, held annually in Amsterdam for the past eight years, has gained a strong reputation for providing a platform for detailed discussions on sustainability and quality in the cocoa sector, ConfectioneryNews speaks to Jack Steijn, co-founder,...
In the first of our Valentine’s Day previews, we look at the romantic offerings this year from Pierre Marcolini, Hotel Chocolat, Paul A Young, Skittles, Azuca, Mochidoki, Sour Punch and Seattle Chocolate.
Fairtrade International pioneers unique and effective program to address child labor in farming communities. Anita Sheth, senior advisor social compliance and development, Fairtrade International, explains an ongoing program in Belize to empower local...
World’s most prestigious chocolate awards will be held in London, UK, next month, deadline for entries is Friday 31 January. CocoVaa Chocolatier Vata Edari named as one of the judges.
This year, ISM global trade fair for sweets and snacks is celebrating its 50th anniversary – and is expected to break all previous records for visitor and exhibitor attendance. In an exclusive interview, CN talks to ISM director Sabine Schommer on what...
Divine Chocolate was established in 1998 by a co-operative of cocoa farmers in Ghana that owns 44% of the company and shares in its profit. Its cocoa is Fairtrade certified and 100% traceable.
Steve Lightman, president, of food and gift provider Harry & David, talks heritage and exploring new markets, getting into the office at 6am and winding down with a game of golf with his wife in the beautiful Rogue Valley in Oregon, where the company...
I am a cocoa farmer: Bahati Sanjingu, Morogoro Region, Tanzania
'I am a cocoa farmer' is an occasional series by Dr Kristy Leissle, scholar of the cocoa and chocolate industries. Here she visits Bahati Sanjingu, a cocoa farmer in Tanzania, and hears how she made the transition from growing rice to cocoa...
Experiential marketing is key to launching a new vegan product in the confectionery space – but timing is of the essence, says Liz Richardson, managing partner at behavioural communications agency HeyHuman
Streaming now, the National Confectioners Association's ‘The Sweet Life’ series is ‘a dynamic and exciting look at the magic of manufacturing in the confectionery industry through the eyes of those people who know it best’.
