Chocolate

Amsterdam Cocoa Week takes place in the city's historic stock exchange, Beurs van Berlage from 5-11 February. Pic: Equipoise

Sustainability

Cocoa sector set for ‘epic’ week in Amsterdam

By Anthony Myers

Amsterdam Cocoa Week promises an ‘epic collaboration’ when it opens on Monday 5 February at the Beurs van Berlage, the city’s former stock exchange building, where joining forces under one roof will be high-level sustainability conferences Chocoa, the...

Mars has completed the buy-out of Hotel Chocolat. Pic: Hotel Chocolat

M&As

Mars completes takeover of Hotel Chocolat

By Anthony Myers

Mars has announced that it has completed the acquisition of Hotel Chocolat, a UK premium chocolate brands, after ConfectioneryNews reported in November 2023, that the company had reached agreement with Hotel Chocolat’s Board on the terms of the acquisition,...

Barry Callebaut said it has taken 'significant' refinancing measures to address rising cocoa prices. Pic: Barry Callebaut

Financial Results

Shift towards private-label chocolate steadies Barry Callebaut's sales

By Anthony Myers

According to analysts, Barry Callebaut has posted a slight rise in sales volumes in three months to the end of November ahead of a challenging and overall declining chocolate confectionery market due to inflation that is squeezing household budgets.

Ekachai Savetsomphob. Pic: ISM

ProSweets/ISM 2024

Thai confectionery market recognised at ISM 2024

By Anthony Myers

Ekachai Savetsomphob, Managing Director of Sino-Pacific, Thailand’s largest food and snack imported is being honoured with the ISM Award 2024 for his contribution and fluence in the development of the market in Southeast Asia.

Career path: Pic: GettyImages

Mentorship

NCA announces its 2024 Future Leaders class

By Anthony Myers

The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has announced the eight confectionery industry professionals selected for its 2024 Future Leadership Programme.

Pic: EXBERRY Colors

ProSweets Cologne 2024

EXBERRY to showcase plant-based colours at ProSweets Cologne

By Anthony Myers

GNT, the company behind EXBERRY food colors, will demonstrate how its plant-based, sustainable portfolio can help maximize product appeal for manufacturers at ProSweets Cologne, which runs this year from 28-31 January.

The chocolate, confectionery, and bakery industry has adapted to demands for more healthy sweet treats. Pic: Getty Images

BALANCING HEALTH AND INDULGENCE IN CONFECTIONERY

How confectionery embraced ‘healthy indulgence’

By Anthony Myers

Consumers are increasingly focusing on their health without compromising on taste, which is why healthy indulgence has become a serious trend. Millennials (Gen Y) and Centennials (Gen Z) are looking for foods and beverages that are tasty, good for you,...

Pic: GettyImages

BALANCING HEALTH AND INDULGENCE IN CONFECTIONERY

Food emotions can play a crucial part in healthy indulgence

By Anthony Myers

The notion of ‘healthy indulgence’ represents a shift of emphasis – and an exciting opportunity – for confectioners, chocolatiers, and bakers who are only too well aware that consumers are becoming increasingly health-conscious and interested in sugar...

Lindt's continued brand building will be key in 2024. Pic:  Lindt & Sprüngli

Market watch

Lindt & Sprüngli hit with child labor allegations in cocoa supply chain

By Anthony Myers

Swiss premium chocolate company Lindt & Sprüngli is among the leading players in the premium chocolate space with a presence in over 120 countries worldwide and a portfolio of chocolate brands including Russell Stover, Ghirardelli, Caffarel, Lindor,...

Pic: Mars Wrigley

M&M’S Cookie Dough hits the shelves across Australia

By Anthony Myers

Brand owner Mars Wrigley is rolling out a new flavour ‘world-first’ innovation across Australia this month, combining consumers’ love of chocolate & cookie dough into one bite-sized treat.

KitKat 70% Dark is available in the UK. Pic: Nestlé

NPD

Nestlé launches 70% dark chocolate KitKat bar

By Anthony Myers

In a first for both KitKat and Nestlé Confectionery in the UK and Ireland, the dark chocolate bar is made with cocoa mass sourced from farmers and their families enrolled in Nestlé’s cocoa income accelerator programme.

Lindt successfuly launched a vegan alternative chocolate bar in 2022. Pic: Lindt & Sprungli

Global vegan chocolate market expected to be worth $2bn by 2032

By Anthony Myers

The global vegan chocolate market is estimated to be worth a conservative $2 billion by 2032, and as the Veganuary campaign begins, the surge in awareness about the benefits of plant-based food and confectionery products could see an even greater growth...

'People will always want to treat themselves,' new research into chocolate trends reveals. Pic: GettyImages

Trends

The shape and taste of chocolate in 2024 – what to expect …

By Anthony Myers

Chocolate confectionery is a significant market, expected to be worth over $128 billion (130 billion Euro) in global retail sales by the end of 2024. With a volume growth of +2% over the next 5 years to 2027, it is also a dynamic market, so what trends...

Chocolate Cordillera became the first private company in Colombia to register two new cacao varieties (CNCH12 and CNCH13). Pic: CN

Special report

How Cacao Fino de Aroma put Colombia back on the map

By Anthony Myers

It was almost 20 years ago that Colombian cocoa was officially recognized by the ICCO (International Cocoa Organization) as Cacao Fino de Aroma (fine aroma beans). Almost 95% of Colombia’s total cocoa production is classed as Cacao Fino de Aroma by the...

Established n Rye, East Sussex, in 2013, Knoops now has 15 stores in locations across the UK. Pic: Knoops

Financial results

Knoops strikes chocolate gold with Wonka movie tie-in

By Anthony Myers

Knoops, the UK retailer of artisan chocolate drinks, is celebrating a merry Christmas after announcing solid financial growth and ambitious expansion plans for 2024 – partly the result of becoming the brand partner of choice for Wonka, the hit film prequel...

Cocoa farmer  Eugenia Jiménez is part of the community that benefited from The Cacao Effect. Pic: Luker Chocolate

Sustainability

Mission accomplished: Luker Chocolate wraps up The Cacao Effect project

By Anthony Myers

Luker Chocolate is celebrating the completion of The Cacao Effect, a five-year initiative that the company said positively impacted over 6,000 rural families in Colombia. The closing event was held on 24 November 2023 in Bogotá, Colombia, and showcased...

ProSweets Cologne is set to attract over 250 exhibitors from over 25 countries at next year's event. Pic: Koelnmesse

ProSweets Cologne 24

ProSweets Cologne focuses on the reformulation of sweets and snacks

By Anthony Myers

More than 30 ingredients specialists are set to attend ProSweets Cologne, the supplier fair that runs along side ISM sweets and snacks trade show, to offer natural and sustainable solutions that contain less sugar or carry a clean label declaration.

Pic: GettyImages

Seasonal

Oh! Oh! Oh! Is there a right way to eat a candy cane?

By Anthony Myers

There’s no more evident sign that the winter holidays are here than the emergence of candy canes on store shelves in the US – but what is the “right” way to eat them? It’s a fun question that always gets American consumers in a twist, so here goes …

Sacks of cocoa beans are stacked ready for export in a Ghana warehouse. Pic: COCOBOD

Guest post

Are we heading for a shortage of cocoa?

By Jon Davis

Heavier-than-usual rainfall during the past three to six months in the main cocoa-producing countries of West Africa - Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon could impact the chocolate industry due to a shortage of its main ingredient, according...

Nestlé's former factory at Fawdon, in north east England. Pic: Nestlé

Manufacturing

Bakery company buys former Nestlé factory in Fawdon

By Anthony Myers

The former Nestlé factory at Fawdon, Newcastle, due to shut at the end of December, has been bought by British baker Country Style Foods, which makes bread, cakes and baked goods, it has been revealed.

Barry Callebaut will publish the seventh edition of its Forever Chocolate Progress Report at the end of November. Pic: Barry Callebaut

Sustainability

Barry Callebaut ranked top for ESG risks management

By Anthony Myers

Barry Callebaut has been ranked in the 1st percentile in the management of ESG risks in both the Food Product and Packaged Food companies by Morningstar Sustainalytics.