Trends

© GettyImages/Richard Drury

EU agrees deforestation law

By Jane Byrne

A provisional political agreement has been reached between the EU Parliament and the Council in relation to EU regulation on deforestation-free supply chains.

Clean Food Group is fermenting yeast to develop a lab-grown, bio-equivalent alternative to palm oil, which has attracted the attention of ingredients major Doehler Group. Image credit: Laurie Lapworth: University of Bath

Doehler invests in lab-grown palm oil alternative

By Flora Southey

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.

Germany's popular chocolate Santa Clauses are proving more popular this year. Pic: CN

Seasonal

Germany’s chocolate Santa Clauses enjoy export boom

By Anthony Myers

Despite soaring energy costs and supply chain issues, the German confectionery industry said it has produced approximately 5.6% more chocolate Santa Clauses for the Christmas season this year.

Raw cacao pioneers Lovechock has a new owner. Pic: Lovechock

M&As

Lovechock eyes expansion after company takeover

By Anthony Myers

Lovechock, the Dutch raw cacao company, has been acquired by Belgian family-owned company Pauwels Engineering NV, the two parties have announced in a statement.

Pic: gettyimages

Seasonal

Chocolate advent calendar guide

By Anthony Myers

Not bought a chocolate advent calendar yet? Here is a selection to help you choose and get in the festive mood, from vegan options to luxury best buy ...

Research by Délifrance reveals that healthier options could encourage 21% of consumers to eat more bread. Pic: Délifrance

Healthy snacking

The meteoric rise of the conscious consumer

By Gill Hyslop

These consumers still want to purchase indulgent pastries or breads out-of-home or on-the-go, but these days are placing more emphasis on treats that are guilt-free.

Brands will have 365 healthy opportunities to appeal to consumers in 2023. Pic: GettyImages/anyaivanova

Healthy snacking

What will drive the healthy snack space in 2023?

By Gill Hyslop

While snacking has long been associated with indulgence and fulfilling a guilty craving, a raft of new offers are popping up on the market that more closely align with consumers’ holistic wellness goals.

US black land-grant universities have been underfunded by at least $12.8bn over the past three decades compared to predominantly white counterparts. Pic: GettyImages/Amand Burger

Clif Bar commits $1 million to boost black equity in organic agriculture

By Gill Hyslop

The Californian better-for-you snack producer has made a $1m endowment to Tuskegee University in Alabama – a Historically Black College and University – to support the advancement of organic farming practices through the University’s College of Agriculture,...

Single origin, sustainable cocoa is becoming more in demand. Pic: Cargill

Single origin cocoa: consumer trends

Why single origin cocoa is so important

By Anthony Myers

As interest in cocoa sustainability intensifies among EMEA consumers, two studies highlight why bean-to-bar authenticity is on the rise.

Guylian's famous chocolate seashells will now carry the Fairtrade logo. Pic: Fairtrade America

Sustainability

Guylian commits to 100% Fairtrade Certified cocoa

By Anthony Myers

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.

Peter Boone, CEO of the Barry Callebaut Group, at the launch last month of its '2nd Generation Chocolate' innovation. Pic: Barry Callebaut

Financial results

Drop in profits at Barry Callebaut after factory shutdown earlier in year

By Anthony Myers

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...