Cocoa

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...

The detrimental effect of unfavourable weather conditions is hitting global cocoa supplies. Pic: GettyImages

Commodities

ICCO predicts 11% drop in global cocoa output, after El Niño effect

By Anthony Myers

The El Niño weather phenomenon, which hit the west coast of Africa last year, carrying unseasonal heavy rains followed by dry heat, is the main factor in an 11% drop in the season’s main cocoa harvest, according to the latest figures from the International...

Barry Callebaut Group CEO Peter Feld. Pic: Barry Callebaut

Jobs

Barry Callebaut to axe 18% of global workforce

By Anthony Myers

Barry Callebaut Group, the world’s largest chocolate and cocoa supplier, has announced it is cutting approximately 2,500 manufacturing and administration jobs across its global operations.

Predictions are for a global deficit of cocoa beans around 500,000 metric tons for the the current 2023-24 season. Pic: CN

Markets

ICCO urges major rethink as cocoa futures hit another record high

By Anthony Myers

Cocoa futures in London and New York rose to fresh record highs on trading platform ICE on Monday this week as increasing concern about supply shortages in Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, the world's top two producers, left buyers scrambling for beans from...

As the clock ticks on the application of the EUDR, there were still plenty of unanswered questions in Amsterdam surrounding its guidelines. Pic: WCF

WCF Partnership Meeting 2024

How ready is the EU Commission to implement its deforestation regulation?

By Anthony Myers

Apart from farmer income/poverty, the most discussed topic on day one of the World Cocoa Foundation Partnership Meeting in Amsterdam was the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) that will be implemented at the end of this year.

Mawuli Coffie. Pic: WCF

WCF Partnership Meeting 2024

World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) appoints new programme director for Ghana

By Anthony Myers

Ahead of The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) Partnership Meeting in Amsterdam this week, the organisation has announced that Mawuli Coffie will be its country director for the WCF Ghana Office as part of a new senior leadership team spearheading an ambitious...

The new app for cocoa farmers developed by Plant-for-the-Planet. Pic: Plant-for-the-Planet

EUDR

Free app for smallholder cocoa farmers to check on EUDR compliance

By Anthony Myers

Plant-for-the-Planet has launched a free app that smallholder farmers can use to check their own farms and share their data with trading partners – and know within minutes whether they can continue importing into the EU under its new deforestation regulations.

Roel van Poppel. Pic: ofi

Appointments

ofi appoints new chief sustainability officer

By Anthony Myers

Leading commodities supplier ofi has announced Roel van Poppel as its chief sustainability officer (CSO), taking responsibility for scaling the group’s ability to drive positive impact across its five leading product platforms - cocoa, coffee, dairy,...

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...

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.

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,...

The class of '23 - ATENEA's first graduates celebrate completing module 1. Pic: Chocolate Cordillera

WCF PM 2024

Chocolate Cordillera achieves early wins for its female cocoa farmers

By Anthony Myers

At the end of 2023, Colombian sustainable brand Chocolate Cordillera announced that 106 female cocoa farmers from Urabá Antioquia had completed the first module of its ATENEA sustainability program, giving some the confidence to become fully independent...

Beers made with cacaofruit. Pic: Cabosse Naturals

Trends

Beer and wine brands jump on the Cacaofruit bandwagon

By Anthony Myers

Apart from the positive impact on the planet - potentially preventing millions of tonnes of fruit waste – cacao fruit opens up new categories after the pulp, juice, and powder from the cocoa pod are used, according to latest research.

West Africa's cocoa crop has been boosted by the weather. Pic: CN

Markets

Rains in West Africa lift cocoa prospects for the region

By Anthony Myers

Unseasonable and welcome rain in West Africa is expected to boost the main cocoa crop, improve the quality of beans and lower the price of cocoa on the market, according to farming sources.

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.

'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...

The European Union's deforestation bill is triggered at the end of 2024. Is the cocoa sector ready? Pic: EU

Free-to-listen webinar - Speakers Announced!

Time’s up: EUDR webinar - speakers announced - how ready is cocoa?

By Anthony Myers

ConfectioneryNews will be presenting a special live webinar on Tuesday 23 January 24 at 17:00Paris / 10:00AM Chicago to discuss the new requirements for market access for cocoa and chocolate suppliers into the European Union.

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...