Coronavirus

Snacks sales have experienced highs and lows over the past two years. Pic: GettyImages/John Gollop/PM Images

The highs and lows of US snacking sales

By Gill Hyslop

To help drive sales during National Snack Food Month (February), Cincinnati-based retail data science, insights and media company 84.51° has shared an assortment of snacking takeaways for retailers.

Haribo said it is working on solutions to keep UK shelves stocked with its confectionery. Pic:  Haribo

Brexit

Haribo confectionery hit by HGV driver shortage in UK

By Anthony Myers

German firm said it was having trouble getting its products to customers in the UK, leading to a potential shortage on the shelves of Jelly babies, gummy bears and mini-fried eggs.

Analysts are predicting a large surplus of cocoa on the market, even after a global vaccination roll-out. Pic: ConfectioneryNews

Special Report: Post Pandemic Trends 2021

Downward trend in cocoa prices continues, despite COVID-19 vaccinations

By Anthony Myers

In its latest Monthly Cocoa Market Report, the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) has revealed that anticipations of a production surplus compounded with low levels of demand have contributed to the decline in prices in cocoa from January 2021 on...

Godiva is closing all its retail outlets across the US and Canada. Pic: Godiva

Coronavirus

Godiva shuts up shop in North America and Canada

By Anthony Myers

‘Waning demand’ caused by the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in luxury chocolatier Godiva announcing it will close all its retail outlets in North America and Canada by the end of March this year.

Indulgence, health, shopping more locally and purchasing foods with real provenance will drive the bakery sector in 2021, says the CBA.

Snacking trends

Coronavirus blues expected to continue propelling snacking movement in 2021

By Gill Hyslop

Snacking – both in and out of the home – is a category that did very well in 2020 and the movement looks set to continue in 2021 as consumers look for inexpensive sweet treats to cheer themselves up, writes Karen Dear, director of operations for the Craft...

Consumers are increasingly looking for smaller packs of snacks. Pic: GettyImages/FotoDuets

Guest article

Capitalising on the small pack trend

By Gill Hyslop

Lifestyle changes are redefining the packaging sector. Along with the increased lean towards the snackification of mealtimes – ‘grazing’ on snacks throughout the day – consumers are also demanding more convenient, timely and portable solutions. Mike Pipe,...

Mondelēz predicts 2020 earnings growth, and beats third quarter results. Pic: Mondelēz

Financial results

Mondelēz predicts 2020 growth as consumers stock up on candies and cookies

By Anthony Myers

Mondelēz International Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dirk Van de Put said he was “very encouraged” by its financial performance, after the company reported better-than-expected quarterly results as consumers stocked candies and cookies at home...

ECA reports a decline in European cocoa grind figures Pic: ConfectioneryNews

Coronavirus

Coronavirus crisis affects European cocoa grinds

By Anthony Myers

Cocoa grinding figures across Europe, the indicator of the demand for cocoa for chocolate and confectionery production, declined in the 3rd quarter of 2020 by 4.7% on the same period the previous year, the European Cocoa Organization (ECA) reports.

 Mars said it remains committed to working with others to create a sustainable cocoa supply chain in-line with its Cocoa for Generations strategy. Pic: Mars Wrigley

Sustainability

Mars welcomes minimum price guarantee for cocoa farmers in West Africa

By Anthony Myers

Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana, the world’s largest cocoa producers, have hiked up their minimum price guarantee given to farmers by 21% for the 2020-2021 growing season that starts in October, and has support of major chocolate companies including Mars Wrigley.

Hostess is going all out with spook-alicious sweet treats and ideas to make this year's Halloween one to remember, despite COVID-challenges. Pic: Hostess

Hostess gears up for a fang-tastic Halloween

By Gill Hyslop

The Twinkies maker has partnered with celebrity chef George Duran and micro-influencers to create a devilishly good snacking experience to make this year’s Halloween one to remember, despite social distancing measures impacting festivities.

Overall sales of chocolate and candy have increased 3.8%, the NCA reveals. Pic: NCA

Coronavirus

Chocolate and candy soothe COVID-19 trauma, NCA reveals

By Anthony Myers

New data from the National Confectioners Association (NCA) has revealed sales of chocolate and candy in United States have increased during the coronavirus pandemic as people across the country look for ways to add joy and comfort in uncertain times.

Pic: ConfectioneryNews

Commodities

ICCO halves its cocoa surplus estimate for 209/20 season

By Anthony Myers

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has led the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) to halve its forecast for the expected global cocoa surplus in the 2019/20 season as demand for beans from chocolate manufactures slows.

Carol Oldbury (centre) and her team pictured earlier in the year at ISM Cologne. Pic: ConfectioneryNews

Coronavirus

How Hames Chocolates overcame COVID-19 challenges

By Anthony Myers

UK-based chocolate and confectionery firm Hames Chocolates shares its story of dealing with the coronavirus – and how a pause in production allowed it to plan for the future.