Markets

Popped amaranth seeds. © GettyImages/MarsBars

Amaranth reclaims its superfood status in Mexico

By Niamh Michail

Amaranth, Mexico’s native grain is now part of the country's 'basic basket' of goods, an official come-back for this nutritious superfood that was sacred to the Aztecs. We look at how manufacturers can use it in their products.

©GettyImages/tunart

THE INGREDIENTS SHOW

Growing single origin trend to ‘transform Colombia through chocolate’

By Flora Southey

Single origin chocolate is attracting strong sales and high product satisfaction among consumers. For ingredient suppliers, this presents an opportunity to give back to the rural communities growing the commodity. FoodNavigator caught up with an analyst,...

The three biggest macadamia companies in Brazil are Queen Nut, the Coopmac cooperative in Espírito Santo, and Tribeca in Rio de Janeiro state. © GettyImages/dewpak

'Healthy and indulgent': ABNC on growing Brazil's nut industry

By Niamh Michail

Nuts are "delicious, nutritious and tailor-made for the functional food market"- but the market in Brazil is stagnating. FoodNavigator-LATAM caught up with the president of trade association ABNC about how it plans to change this.

Kallari Chocolate from Ecuador will open a chocolate factory near its plantations in Tena this year. Photo: Kallari.

Industry insights

Cocoa origin claims on chocolate – who benefits?

By Anthony Myers

Cocoa origin claims on chocolate products are rare and at odds with the main sourcing regions of cocoa, a study from Lumina Intelligence has found, is it worthwhile for brands to indicate cocoa origin on-pack and online?

Could heavy metal regulations undo Ecuador’s value-added cocoa efforts?

Sustainable Food & Drink Podcast – Episode One

Ecuador’s sustainable cocoa future after cadmium

By Oliver Nieburg

Ecuador’s efforts to create value at origin could be damaged by the EU’s recent regulation of heavy metal cadmium in chocolate, claims the president of the country’s cocoa export association.

Bogotá, the capital of Colombia. GettyImages/jtinjaca

'A nation open to business': Colombia eyes agri-food innovation

By Niamh Michail

With a healthy growth rate, boosted investor confidence and government commitment to innovation, Colombia is re-branding itself as a nation open to business - and, despite challenges, it is "well positioned to move forward", says a report by...

© GettyImages/NatashaPhoto

How to find growth in Brazil’s declining drinks market

By Niamh Michail

Brazil's beverage market has been declining for the past three years, according to Kantar Worldpanel. "The market in Brazil is significant, complex and experiencing challenging times. However, there are opportunities to grow," it says.

Sustainable sourcing has never been more in the spotlight: Is soy set to hit the headlines? ©iStock/alffoto

Food for thought

Soy: this year’s dirty commodity?

By David Burrows

Europe is heavily reliant on imports of soy – both to feed its livestock and consumers’ appetite for plant-based diets. However, food brands are beginning to realise that this crucial commodity comes with a heavy footprint.