Sectors

Sustainability is hard-wired into most supply chains these days, but there is still room for improvements, our next free webinar will hear. Pic: CN

CN Webinar

Free webinar: Is there a crisis in cocoa supply chains?

By Anthony Myers

With the new European Union Deforestation Regulation on the horizon, should the industry adopt a more responsible approach to procurement when sourcing cocoa beans and other ingredients? Sign up for our free webinar to discuss!

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.

Stevia seedlings. Pic: Howtian Group

BALANCING HEALTH AND INDULGENCE IN CONFECTIONERY

Colombia’s sugar reduction tax targets confectionery

By Anthony Myers

The global landscape of food consumption is undergoing a significant shift with the introduction of sugar taxes in over 120 countries. These initiatives are primarily aimed at guiding consumers towards healthier lifestyle choices by reducing the intake...

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...

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...

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...

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?

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 company also said it is also battling a volatile environment in its European market. Pic: Mondelēz International

Financial results

Mondelēz to up Cocoa Life investment on back of strong Q3 results

By Anthony Myers

Mondelēz International has announced net revenues grew 8.1% year-on-year in the third quarter this year, driven by stronger pricing and volume. The Chicago-headquartered company also raised its full-year results forecasts and announced more price hikes...

Pic:getty/acilo

Tequila threats - and agave alternatives

By Rachel Arthur

Could agave shortages and rising production costs stop the trending drinks in its tracks? The good news is that agave alternatives are ready to step in and fill the gap.

Chocolate dream: A new initiative from HAPPi and Luker Chocolate aims to nurture children in sustainable cocoa practices. Pic: Luker Chocolate

Sustainability

HAPPi invests in future cocoa change-makers with Luker Chocolate

By Anthony Myers

Oat m!lk chocolate brand, HAPPi, is teaming up with Luker Chocolate to create Kids for Nature, an exciting new project that aims to protect the remarkable wildlife of Colombia by educating the next generation to become guardians of their ecosystem.

The new factory. Pic: Nestle

Nestlé opens $340m coffee factory in Mexico

By Rachel Arthur

Nestlé has opened a new Nescafé coffee factory in Veracruz: creating 1,200 new jobs and making Mexico the company’s main coffee producer globally.

Tepache - a fermented beverage made from the peel and rind of pineapples - is one of the beverages making a comeback. Pic:getty/riou

Forgotten fermentation: Uncovering Mexico’s traditional beverages

By Rachel Arthur

Could Mexico’s traditional fermented beverages offer inspiration for healthy beverages today? Researchers are calling for the recovery and conservation of ancient fermented drinks, which could offer an 'outstanding reservoir' of genetic resources...