ConfectioneryNews looks back over another tumultuous and eventful 12 months and asks what our most popular stories tell us about the state of the industry.
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.
Chocolate and cocoa supplier Barry Callebaut Group says it welcomes the swift negotiation on the European Union’s (EU) Regulation on deforestation-free products aiming to minimize EU-driven deforestation and forest degradation, and reduce greenhouse gas...
Fairtrade has announced an update to its Cocoa Standard with a reinforced focus on human rights, the fight against deforestation, traceability, and living incomes across the sector.
Fairtrade America partners, including Tony’s Chocolonely, Gallant International and Divine Chocolate, have announced a strengthening of commitments to the label for social justice and sustainability.
The European Union has agreed a new law to prevent companies from selling cocoa and other commodities into the EU market that can be traced back to deforestation around the world.
‘No one is doing what they should be doing: Both industry and governments will need to significantly change their business as usual. Let us be very clear; not a single stakeholder group is currently doing what they should be doing to ensure farmers achieve...
A provisional political agreement has been reached between the EU Parliament and the Council in relation to EU regulation on deforestation-free supply chains.
The German ingredients supplier is investing in UK-based Clean Food Group (CFG) – a start-up developing a bio-equivalent cultivated alternative to palm oil – via its investment arm, Doehler Ventures.
Chocolate and cocoa supplier claims that one out of two of its products sold contains sustainable chocolate and is on track to meet its target, set in 2016, to ‘make sustainable chocolate the norm’.
Ingredients show Food Ingredients Europe (FiE), co-located with Hi Europe, returns to France this week and will be held for the first time at the sprawling Paris Expo Porte de Versailles – occupying four halls with more than 1,200 exhibitors, ranging...
Why does the European Commission consider its proposed due diligence legislation – designed to curb deforestation and forest degradation in supply chains – the best proposal on the table, globally?
British high street brand Fudge Kitchen said it is committed to ensuring its gifting range is sustainable this Christmas after a rebrand earlier this year focussed on minimising its impact on the environment.
Moving on from the comfort and nostalgic flavors that grounded consumers during the pandemic, consumer interest in more diverse and unexpected flavors within dessert categories is on the rise, according to consumer research from T. Hasegawa.
Kate Robberson, who plays with world folk group Ley Line, has launched her own chocolate brand, Joaihú, a direct-origin, bean-to-bar chocolate from the old-growth rainforest in Bahia, Brazil.
In a statement the company said it is making measurable progress on its commitment to act on climate change. Recent initiatives include the launch of a third utility-scale solar project, energy and water optimization investments and continued progress...
Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, the world’s largest cocoa-growing countries, have stepped up their pressure on the chocolate industry by threatening to punish companies visiting their farms to estimate harvests, which is a key factor in forecasting the price...
Fresh data released by transparency initiative Trase reveals that cocoa farming swallowed 2.4 million ha of forest in Côte d’Ivoire between 2000 and 2019, an area almost the size of Rwanda. This represents 45% of the total deforestation and forest degradation...
Located in the heart of the country’s cocoa-growing region, the former yuca farm has been leading research not only into sustainable practices but also into developing two new types of cocoa bean varieties. ConfectioneryNews paid a visit recently to find...
Arguably, some of the best single-origin chocolate on Earth is produced in Madagascar, where the country’s ecosystem gives its cocoa unique flavours and aromas.
The premium Belgian chocolate brand said the move demonstrates its commitment to sustainable production in its supply chain by prioritising the livelihoods of cocoa farmers.
Europe’s main sweets and snacks tradeshow will promote a positive message for the industry when it convenes in Cologne after what will no doubt be a long hard winter for businesses.
The Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate) partners have pledged to ramp up their investment in climate smart food systems ahead of Agriculture Day at COP27. But for critics the US$8bn on the table doesn't go nearly far enough...
The Cheerios and Shreddies maker has contributed CFH 100,000 ($101,647) to the Africa Food Prize to unearth the bold initiatives and technical innovations that will create a new era of food security and build great climate change resilience on the continent.
Colombian Chocolate Manufacturer Luker Chocolate has announced it has acquired a majority stake in Slovakian Lyra Group in a deal that will strengthen Luker’s product capabilities and increase flexibility in logistics for European clients.
The European Union and its partners have announced they’re raising 450 million euros ($442 million) to support Cote d’Ivoire’s push to tackle child labour and deforestation linked to cocoa production, while also improving farmer pay.
Barry Callebaut caught the market by surprise by rescheduling its Full-Year Results 2021-22 analysts and media call to Tuesday instead of today (Wednesday 2 November) after the figures were published early due to an ‘unforeseen event’. The world’s largest...
Mondelēz International has announced the next phase of its Cocoa Life programme will be backed by an additional $600 million - bringing its total investment to $1 billion by end of the decade.
The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) wrapped up a successful Partnership Meeting, despite the absence of the two main producer countries, with new commitments announced on making cocoa supply chains more sustainable and achieving more impact in helping farmers...
During the coming Halloween weekend, it is estimated that $2.6bn is spent on individually wrapped candy in the United States. Average Halloween candy comes individually wrapped and made of several layers of different materials including plastic, 'creating...
Cocoa supplier olam food ingredients (ofi), has won the Sustainable Supply Chain of the Year Award at the 2022 Global Good Awards, which recognise businesses, NGOs, charities and social enterprises that are driving social and environmental change.
Cocoa farmers, as well as workers in other commodities and crops, experienced a boost in Fairtrade Premium earnings thanks to a recovery in Fairtrade product sales throughout 2021, Fairtrade International’s latest annual report has revealed.
Magnum’s broader female empowerment programme has got off to a fantastic start following the graduation of the first 198 women. Megan Willis, Head of Sustainable Sourcing at Unilever, Magnum’s owner, gives ConfectioneryNews an update in an exclusive podcast...
The World Cocoa Foundation’s (WCF) Partnership Meeting in Brussels this week has sold out, event organisers said, despite Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, the two world’s largest cocoa producers, declining an invitation due to a pricing row with the industry.
Cote d'Ivoire’s National Chocolate & Cocoa Day celebrations in Abidjan earlier this month was backed by Hershey and organised by Conseil du Café-Cacao, the country’s regulatory authority for coffee and cocoa.
With support from the Conseil du Café Cacao (CCC) and Ivoirian Ministry of Agriculture, the the launch took place in in Abidjan. The Livelihoods Ecosystem Advancement Program (LEAP) was co-created by the ECOOKIM cooperative farmers, Mars and Fairtrade...
The International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) 2021 annual report is the first in the organisation's new five-year strategy with the overarching aim to cover 100% of the cocoa supply chain in Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana with systems that prevent and address...
The International Cocoa Council (ICCO) has laid out and adopted a new set of amendments relating to the International Cocoa Agreement (ICA) 2010 at a specially convened meeting last month in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
Ghana Gold, a new chocolate bar range from ethical bean-to-bar chocolate company MIA (Made in Africa), has struck a deal with Empire Bespoke Foods to import and distribute the product throughout the UK.
Like Medellin, the city in Colombia where the company is headquartered, Cordillera Chocolates has been quietly going through its own transition over the past decade, in this case, positioning itself to become a global leader in the cocoa sector. ConfectioneryNews...
The EU’s recent approval of its controversial deforestation regulation is expected to drive up the cost of palm oil and other affected commodities, and thus food and beverage prices, amid ongoing inflationary pressures that have already affected a majority...
Fairtrade America is reminding consumers of the benefits of buying ethically sourced chocolate bars with a national mural campaign to celebrate Fair Trade Month, which runs globally throughout October.
The Ghanaian Government has increased the producer price of Cocoa by 21% for the 2022-2023 crop season – and said it will be ready for new EU rules on cocoa imports.
Mars Wrigley has declared that from 2023, 100% of the cocoa purchased for its direct factory operations in Europe will be verified as ‘responsibly sourced cocoa’.
Nestlé’s ‘innovative income accelerator programme’ to increase cocoa farmer income and achieve full traceability in its cocoa supply chain was the subject of an informative webinar between the Rainforest Alliance and Nestlé on the importance of regenerative...
