Trends

Sustainability is hard-wired into most supply chains these days, but there is still room for improvements, our next free webinar will hear. Pic: CN

CN Webinar

Free webinar: Is there a crisis in cocoa supply chains?

By Anthony Myers

With the new European Union Deforestation Regulation on the horizon, should the industry adopt a more responsible approach to procurement when sourcing cocoa beans and other ingredients? Sign up for our free webinar to discuss!

Leticia Yankey is the founder of the first ladies-only cocoa cooperative in Ghana. Pic: Oxfam

World Cocoa Conference 2024

Oxfam slams large chocolate companies at World Cocoa Conference

By Anthony Myers

Against a backdrop of cocoa topping $11,000 per metric ton on the futures market for the first time last week, Oxfam says its experts will be highlighting the discrepancies in farmgate price at this week’s World Cocoa Conference (WCC) in Brussels (21-24...

Climate change can significantly affect farmer working practices. Image supplied by author.

Cocoa feels the bite of climate change

By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Climate change will affect many industries, but few more than cocoa. While farmers on the ground struggle with fluctuating climatic conditions changing working practices, large companies grapple with environmental regulation.

Cocoa farmer John Narh Adamnor talking to Dr. Kristy Leissle from ACM about the low yield on his farm. Pic: ACM

Commodities

‘Cocoa has failed us,’ says Ghanaian farmer

By Anthony Myers

A new video produced by the African Cocoa Marketplace (ACM) reveals the plight of cocoa farmers in West Africa who struggle to grow enough beans to earn a living.

Source: FoodNavigator-USA

Natural Products Expo West

Mondelez: As snacking becomes more ‘purposeful' portion control becomes key

By Elizabeth Crawford

Nearly nine out of 10 consumers snack daily to fuel their busy days, carve out a mindful moment of ‘me time,’ and connect with family and friends – but according to Mondelez International’s recently released 5th State of Snacking report, what they are...

No more logistical nightmares with AI, if used properly, confectionery leaders were informed at a recent conference. Pic: GettyImages

Artificial Intelligence - special report

How AI can improve product quality and consumer experience in confectionery

By Anthony Myers

Two of the standout sessions at the NCA’s recent State of the Industry Conference covered ‘The transformative power of AI for business and personal use,' where experts unlocked the secrets of artificial intelligence to help brands stay ahead of the...

Cargill explores cocoa and nut-free vegan confectionery

Plant-based confectionery

Cargill explores cocoa and nut-free vegan confectionery

By Anthony Myers

Global cocoa and ingredients company Cargill has announced a new commercial partnership with Voyage Foods to produce alternatives to cocoa-based products and nut spreads without using cocoa, peanuts, and hazelnuts.

Getting to the root causes of child labour in Ghana. Pic: ICI

Sustainabilty

High-level initiative set up to tackle child labour in Ghana

By Anthony Myers

A multi-stakeholder initiative has been launched in Ghana to ‘end child labour in all its form,’ by eradicating its root causes, and coordinating ongoing efforts along Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Hub allows Moo Free to trace every part of its supply chain

News

Moo Free unveils new traceability tool, The Hub

By Gwen Ridler

Dairy-free chocolate maker Moo Free is strengthening its sustainability credentials with the launch of The Hub, a business tool offering the manufacturer complete traceability across its supply chain.

The UK needs to make good on promises, and support farmers to protect forests and build a fairer future, Fairtrade said. Pic Nestle

Regulation

Fairtrade calls for UK to beef up its deforestation laws

By Anthony Myers

Similar to the European Union's deforestation measures to tackle deforestation linked to commodity imports, the UK government has announced a new global deforestation law, but Fairtrade is concerned about the extra costs to farmers.

© GettyImages/lisegagne

EUDR: 'Significant legal uncertainties persist'

By Jane Byrne

Operators and traders strive to comply with EUDR but face challenges: gaps in information, technical solutions, and supply chain complexities, claim FEFAC, FEDIOL, and agribusiness groups.

94% of UK consumers  buy Easter eggs, yet 31% would avoid an ethical brand because of mistaken cost assumption, Fairtrade claims. Pic: Fairtrade

Seasonal

Fairtrade urges UK to buy more sustainable Easter eggs

By Anthony Myers

This Easter, shoppers can do more than choose between milk, dark, or white chocolate eggs; they have the power to make a significant difference to the cocoa farmers, says Fairtrade UK.

Two thirds of Brits believe Easter eggs contain too much packaging. Credit: Getty/Pollyana Ventura

News

69% of Brits say Easter egg packaging is excessive

By Bethan Grylls

While Britain is a nation of chocolate lovers, two thirds of consumers believe chocolate eggs comprise too much packaging – yet despite concerns over sustainability and inflation, we’ll still be dipping into our pockets for the sweet stuff.

Cocoa farmers in Cote d'Ivoire plant new seedlings to promote agroforestry. Pic: Nestlé

sustainability

Nestlé onboards suppliers to help cocoa farmers with climate change

By Anthony Myers

Nestlé has announced it is launching two new projects to help address the impact of climate change on cocoa and reduce and remove carbon emissions from its supply chains—as part of its commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

Pic: GettyImages

Special edition: Better-for-you confectionery

The sweet truth: Embracing better-for-you confectionery for a healthier future

By Anthony Myers

In an era of rising health consciousness, the confectionery industry finds itself at a crossroads. Traditionally associated with indulgence and guilty pleasures, confectionery products are now undergoing a transformation to meet the demands of a more...

Pic: Getty Images

Special edition: better-for-you confectionery

Top tips for better-for-you confectionery

By Anthony Myers

The better-for-you trend continues transforming the confectionery market. Expect to see the latest innovations at this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo, which opens in May at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. In the meantime, we examine the...

Pic: Moo Free

Seasonal

Moo Free extends Easter range with three new products

By Anthony Myers

UK vegan chocolate brand has expanded its best-selling Easter collection with the launch of three new products: the White Bunnycomb Crunch Easter, Moofreesas Organic Egg, and Easter Egg Hunt Kit.

The European Union's deforestation regulation is set to come into force on 31 December 2024. Pic: WCF

EUDR

European Union to delay ‘high risk’ element of deforestation bill

By Anthony Myers

The European Union (EU) has signalled its intent to delay the most controversial parts of its anti-deforestation regulation (EUDR) after protests by governments in Asia, Africa, and Latin America described the low, standard, or high-risk benchmarking...

Pic: Hershey

Easter 2024

Hershey provides a mini twist on Easter favourite

By Anthony Myers

Hershey is hitting Easter with its Reese's Peanut Butter Mini Eggs Unwrapped, a poppable sensation that adds a touch of innovation to the cherished seasonal traditions.