Sectors

Pic: Hotel Chocolat

Sustainability

Hotel Chocolat launches new bar with 100% sales going to cocoa growers

By Anthony Myers

Luxury UK chocolatier and cacao grower Hotel Chocolat has launched two new chocolate bars, pledging 100% of the bar sales to fund a ‘better way for cacao farming’, as part of the brand’s drive for positive change for nature and farming families.

The Swiss pavilion at last year's ISM Middle East. Pic: Switzerland Global Enterprise

ISM Middle East 2023

ISM Middle East sells out in Dubai and announces expansion plans for 2024

By Anthony Myers

As ISM Middle East prepares to open the MENA region's premier trade fair for confectionery and snacks at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from 7 to 9 November, organisers Koelnmesse has announced it will be moving its usual November date to September...

York Cocoa House combines a small manufacturing facility with a retail cafe in the heart of the city. Pic York Cocoa House

Podcast

How York Cocoa House is keeping the city’s chocolate industry alive

By Anthony Myers

A recent article in National Geographic described York as ‘England’s chocolate capital’. The city was home to two major confectionery companies, Terry’s founded in 1767 and Rowntree’s in 1862, the inventor of KitKat, which is still produced today at the...

Cocoa trees naturally absorb cadmium from soils via their roots and deposit it in the nibs (centre) of cocoa beans. Pic: As You Sow

Special report

Chocolate companies respond to latest claims of excessive cadmium in cocoa

By Anthony Myers

Consumer Reports (CR), a US independent, non-profit member organisation, has doubled down on its campaign against lead and cadmium in chocolate and urges changes after a new survey finds a third of products contain ‘concerning’ levels of heavy metals.

'It's an exciting time in the confectionery space'. Pic: Getty Images

Special Edition: Natural & Clean label confectionery

What it means to eat ‘clean’

By Markus Gaertner

In the realm of the food and beverage industry, few terms carry as much weight and complexity as the term 'clean.

Pic: GettyImages

Sustainability

New database launched to drive innovation in Sustainable Food Systems

By Anthony Myers

IFIS Sustainability a cutting-edge, free Abstracting and Indexing (A&I) database that curates the latest scientific research at the intersection of food and sustainability, has launched a new digital tool providing food innovators access to the latest...

Image: Getty/Media Lens King

Cocoa leaders demand a fair price for all

By Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe

Off the back of Tony's Chocolonely’s warning that the new cocoa farmgate price is still too low, other chocolate brands and global organisations call for an end to corporate greed and push for equity.

The rally of cocoa prices on the markets should mean farmers are paid more for beans. Pic: CN

Commodities

Tight cocoa supplies push up prices to meet strong global demand

By Anthony Myers

Cocoa prices climbed this week as the result of stronger global cocoa demand, with barchart.com reporting that Gepex, an exporter group that includes six of the world's biggest cocoa grinders, said that its Q3 cocoa processing was 183,731 MT, up...

US consumers will still have plenty of candy treats on hand this Halloween. Pic: Getty Images

Seasonal

Reality bites? US Halloween candy sales unspooked by inflation

By Anthony Myers

Scary monsters (and super creeps) with false teeth may not be the only ones to bite this Halloween as inflation is also hitting households across the United States, forcing many families to keep tight control of the purse strings.

Belcolade’s new green factory at Erembodegem, Belgium. Pic: Belcolade

EXCLUSIVE

Belcolade opens first carbon-neutral chocolate factory in Belgium

By Anthony Myers

Belcolade, the Puratos-owned Belgian Chocolate brand, has opened a new carbon-neutral chocolate factory, running on 100% renewable electricity, sourcing 90% of its water from collected rainwater, and using five times less energy in heat production.

Alejandra Sarasty, Chocolate Cordillera's Chief Global B2B Officer, embraces one of the women cocoa farmers from the ATENEA programme. Pic: CN

Webinar

The importance of women in the cocoa value chain

By Anthony Myers

Cocoa production is decisively linked with women, and sustainable value chains are, too. However, how will their roles differ with the upcoming EU legislation on deforestation, and in a broader issue, will it threaten cocoa and chocolate exporters?

Former ICCO Council President Abel Fernández addresses members at the recent Council Meeting. Pic: ICCO

Sustainability

ICCO celebrates 50 years of cocoa sustainability commitment

By Anthony Myers

The International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) marked half a century of commitment to sustainable growth in the cocoa sector with a special celebration held in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, where it is now headquartered.

Let's twist again: Candy companies can revitalise timeless classics with new flavours. Pic: Corbion/istock

Guest post

Survey shows confectionery consumers crave fruity flavours

By Linda Tomaselli

According to the most recent Corbion Consumer survey, the primary drivers for consumers of confectionery remain centered around flavour and reputable brands. In the realm of sugar confectionery, fruit flavours continue to hold sway as the top choice among...