News

Roel van Poppel. Pic: ofi

Appointments

ofi appoints new chief sustainability officer

By Anthony Myers

Leading commodities supplier ofi has announced Roel van Poppel as its chief sustainability officer (CSO), taking responsibility for scaling the group’s ability to drive positive impact across its five leading product platforms - cocoa, coffee, dairy,...

Tate & Lyle hits the sweet spot

Tate & Lyle hits the sweet spot

By Danielle Masterson

Ingredient solutions firm Tate & Lyle continues to build its sweetener portfolio as consumers shift from full-sugar to reduced-sugar offerings.

Amsterdam Cocoa Week takes place in the city's historic stock exchange, Beurs van Berlage from 5-11 February. Pic: Equipoise

Sustainability

Cocoa sector set for ‘epic’ week in Amsterdam

By Anthony Myers

Amsterdam Cocoa Week promises an ‘epic collaboration’ when it opens on Monday 5 February at the Beurs van Berlage, the city’s former stock exchange building, where joining forces under one roof will be high-level sustainability conferences Chocoa, the...

Mars has completed the buy-out of Hotel Chocolat. Pic: Hotel Chocolat

M&As

Mars completes takeover of Hotel Chocolat

By Anthony Myers

Mars has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Hotel Chocolat, a UK premium chocolate brands, after ConfectioneryNews reported in November 2023, that the company had reached agreement with Hotel Chocolat’s Board on the terms of the acquisition,...

Barry Callebaut said it has taken 'significant' refinancing measures to address rising cocoa prices. Pic: Barry Callebaut

Financial Results

Shift towards private-label chocolate steadies Barry Callebaut's sales

By Anthony Myers

According to analysts, Barry Callebaut has posted a slight rise in sales volumes in three months to the end of November ahead of a challenging and overall declining chocolate confectionery market due to inflation that is squeezing household budgets.

Ekachai Savetsomphob. Pic: ISM

ProSweets/ISM 2024

Thai confectionery market recognised at ISM 2024

By Anthony Myers

Ekachai Savetsomphob, Managing Director of Sino-Pacific, Thailand’s largest food and snack imported is being honoured with the ISM Award 2024 for his contribution and fluence in the development of the market in Southeast Asia.

Cocoa and Sugar prices were up this year, while wheat and almonds saw a derease. Image: Getty, Galeanu Mihai

Raw materials

Bakery and confectionery raw material prices report

By Gwen Ridler

The prices of raw bakery and confectionery ingredients continued to fluctuate throughout the past year, with sugar and cocoa hitting yearly highs as wheat and almonds decreased year-on-year.

Career path: Pic: GettyImages

Mentorship

NCA announces its 2024 Future Leaders class

By Anthony Myers

The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has announced the eight confectionery industry professionals selected for its 2024 Future Leadership Programme.

Pic: EXBERRY Colors

ProSweets Cologne 2024

EXBERRY to showcase plant-based colours at ProSweets Cologne

By Anthony Myers

GNT, the company behind EXBERRY food colors, will demonstrate how its plant-based, sustainable portfolio can help maximize product appeal for manufacturers at ProSweets Cologne, which runs this year from 28-31 January.

Stevia seedlings. Pic: Howtian Group

BALANCING HEALTH AND INDULGENCE IN CONFECTIONERY

Colombia’s sugar reduction tax targets confectionery

By Anthony Myers

The global landscape of food consumption is undergoing a significant shift with the introduction of sugar taxes in over 120 countries. These initiatives are primarily aimed at guiding consumers towards healthier lifestyle choices by reducing the intake...

The chocolate, confectionery, and bakery industry has adapted to demands for more healthy sweet treats. Pic: Getty Images

BALANCING HEALTH AND INDULGENCE IN CONFECTIONERY

How confectionery embraced ‘healthy indulgence’

By Anthony Myers

Consumers are increasingly focusing on their health without compromising on taste, which is why healthy indulgence has become a serious trend. Millennials (Gen Y) and Centennials (Gen Z) are looking for foods and beverages that are tasty, good for you,...

Pic: GettyImages

BALANCING HEALTH AND INDULGENCE IN CONFECTIONERY

Food emotions can play a crucial part in healthy indulgence

By Anthony Myers

The notion of ‘healthy indulgence’ represents a shift of emphasis – and an exciting opportunity – for confectioners, chocolatiers, and bakers who are only too well aware that consumers are becoming increasingly health-conscious and interested in sugar...

Lindt's continued brand building will be key in 2024. Pic:  Lindt & Sprüngli

Market watch

Lindt & Sprüngli hit with child labor allegations in cocoa supply chain

By Anthony Myers

Swiss premium chocolate company Lindt & Sprüngli is among the leading players in the premium chocolate space with a presence in over 120 countries worldwide and a portfolio of chocolate brands including Russell Stover, Ghirardelli, Caffarel, Lindor,...

The class of '23 - ATENEA's first graduates celebrate completing module 1. Pic: Chocolate Cordillera

WCF PM 2024

Chocolate Cordillera achieves early wins for its female cocoa farmers

By Anthony Myers

At the end of 2023, Colombian sustainable brand Chocolate Cordillera announced that 106 female cocoa farmers from Urabá Antioquia had completed the first module of its ATENEA sustainability program, giving some the confidence to become fully independent...

As consumers become accustomed to time-efficient products and tools, they will be more receptive to adopting technologies like augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI). GettyImages/Bernhard Lang

Advancing food tech in 2024: The year of convenience

By Natasha Spencer-Joilliffe

A new era of convenience will emerge in 2024 as ever-evolving augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) technology streamlines consumers’ meal planning, shopping and cooking habits.

The award-winning NOMO caramel bar. Pic: NOMO

Free-from

NOMO caramel bar wins gold at Veggie Awards

By Anthony Myers

Vegan and free from chocolate brand, NOMO says it ‘won big’ at the 2023 Veggie Awards, taking home gold in the Vegan Snacks category for its Caramel Filled Bar.

Beers made with cacaofruit. Pic: Cabosse Naturals

Trends

Beer and wine brands jump on the Cacaofruit bandwagon

By Anthony Myers

Apart from the positive impact on the planet - potentially preventing millions of tonnes of fruit waste – cacao fruit opens up new categories after the pulp, juice, and powder from the cocoa pod are used, according to latest research.

Pic: Mars Wrigley

M&M’S Cookie Dough hits the shelves across Australia

By Anthony Myers

Brand owner Mars Wrigley is rolling out a new flavour ‘world-first’ innovation across Australia this month, combining consumers’ love of chocolate & cookie dough into one bite-sized treat.

West Africa's cocoa crop has been boosted by the weather. Pic: CN

Markets

Rains in West Africa lift cocoa prospects for the region

By Anthony Myers

Unseasonable and welcome rain in West Africa is expected to boost the main cocoa crop, improve the quality of beans and lower the price of cocoa on the market, according to farming sources.

KitKat 70% Dark is available in the UK. Pic: Nestlé

NPD

Nestlé launches 70% dark chocolate KitKat bar

By Anthony Myers

In a first for both KitKat and Nestlé Confectionery in the UK and Ireland, the dark chocolate bar is made with cocoa mass sourced from farmers and their families enrolled in Nestlé’s cocoa income accelerator programme.

Lindt successfuly launched a vegan alternative chocolate bar in 2022. Pic: Lindt & Sprungli

Global vegan chocolate market expected to be worth $2bn by 2032

By Anthony Myers

The global vegan chocolate market is estimated to be worth a conservative $2 billion by 2032, and as the Veganuary campaign begins, the surge in awareness about the benefits of plant-based food and confectionery products could see an even greater growth...

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