Trends

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...

Women from the  COOPAAPROMAN community in Cote d'Ivoire organise their Village Savings Loans. Pic: Magnum

Sustainability

AWA by Magnum supports more female cocoa farmers in Cote d’Ivoire

By Anthony Myers

To mark World Cocoa & Chocolate Day (which took place on 1 October) Magnum ice cream has released more details on its female empowerment programme, upscaling the work to reach thousands of additional women throughout cocoa communities in the West...

The assessment carried out in September 2023 shows no pesticide cases in PRONATEC's organic cocoa butter, mass and powders. Pic: PRONATEC

Production

PRONATEC reports a clean bill of health for its organic cocoa beans

By Anthony Myers

The family-owned company has been processing cocoa beans into cocoa mass, butter, and powder at its own exclusively organic plant in Winterthur, Switzerland, since June 2022 and says an assessment carried out this month shows there have been no pesticide...

A Brazilian court has found 'unlawful' working conditions in Cargill's cocoa supply chain. Pic: Cargill

Sustainabilty

Cargill accused of child labour practices on Brazilian cocoa farms

By Anthony Myers

Cargill, one of the world’s largest cocoa suppliers, has been ordered by a Brazilian court to pay 600,000 reais ($120,185) as indemnity for allegedly buying cocoa from farms where child labour or forced work has been identified.

Caramel is making a splash in chocolate this season. Pic: GettyImages

Special edition: Flavour inspiration

The flavour trends redefining chocolate indulgence

By Anthony Myers

Luker Chocolate, a premium and sustainable brand from Colombia, has also been at the forefront of introducing new flavours to chocolate bars over the past couple of years, and the company has gathered valuable insights from recent trade fairs ExpoWest...

The guide will help cacao producers communicate the quality of their cacao. Image Source: Ilka & Franz/Getty Images

Cacao guide aims to help producers communicate the quality of their cacao

By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

For a long time, there has been no commonly agreed way of assessing and communicating the quality of cacao, the seed from which stems cocoa and chocolate. Now, however, a new initiative has been unveiled that will aim to do just that, with contributions...

Pic: Cocoa Canopy

Packaging

Cocoa Canopy repackages its beads for the service sector

By Anthony Myers

UK-based drinking chocolate brand, Cocoa Canopy, has announced a new format for its 900g foodservice packs across all five of its varieties, supplying the sector with a product they can display all year round.

The emergence of the creatine gummy

The emergence of the creatine gummy

By Asia Sherman

Gummies are making an inroad as delivery format for creatine, one of the biggest performing subcategories in a booming performance nutrition market.

Pic: CN

Free webinar

The impact of reformulation: producer’s nightmare or brand boost?

By Anthony Myers

Industry leaders take the Bakery&Snacks’ podium to discuss the movement that is increasingly impacting all areas when it comes to creating stand out snacks, from trickier better-for-you formulations that do not compromise on indulgence, to simpler...

Olam Group Limited has guaranteed the sustainability loan to its ofi division. Pic: Olam Group

Finance

ofi secures $1,750m sustainability-linked loan

By Anthony Myers

The Olam Group Limited has announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, olam food ingredients (ofi), which includes its cocoa division, has secured a multi-tranche sustainability-linked facility aggregating $1,750 million.

Love Cocoa's new-look designs for its premium chocolate. Pic: Love Cocoa

Packaging

Love Cocoa unveils ‘Modern Chocolatier’ rebrand

By Anthony Myers

The rebranding includes a stylish new logo and strapline - ‘The Modern Chocolatier’ - and the business has also embraced a brighter, bolder colour palette across the range while maintaining its signature gold foiling detail.

Jokolade founder Joko Winterscheidt. Pic: Jokolade

M&As

Katjes acquires sustainable chocolate brand Jokolade

By Anthony Myers

German confectionery brand Katjes has announced it has acquired a 50% stake in Schoko Winterscheidt GmbH, owners of Jokolade, with the aim of positioning itself more prominently in the chocolate category.

Craft chocolate makers are 'highly internally ethically motivated to be transparent' - research suggests. Pic: GettyImages

Sustainability

Call for more sustainability regulation to help craft chocolate companies

By Anthony Myers

Transparency is a defining feature of the craft chocolate industry. However, with the need for benchmarks or regulations for this budding industry, entrepreneurs and stakeholders interpret and apply transparency differently, new research published in...

Ghana Gold chocolate recognised for its taste by judges. Pic: MIA

Premium

Ghana Gold chocolate bags two Great Taste Awards

By Anthony Myers

Sustainable chocolate brand MIA, short for made in Africa, says its new Ghana Gold bars have been recognised with two Great Taste Awards, one of the world's largest and most trusted food and drink accreditation schemes.