Business

The price of butter keeps creeping up, why? GettyImages/Synergee

The price of butter keeps creeping up, why?

By Donna Eastlake

The price of butter has risen steadily in recent years, with a 18.5% year-on-year increase recorded in the EU wholesale market between 2023 and 2024. But why is this happening? And is it a permanent trend?

Leticia Yankey is the founder of the first ladies-only cocoa cooperative in Ghana. Pic: Oxfam

World Cocoa Conference 2024

Oxfam slams large chocolate companies at World Cocoa Conference

By Anthony Myers

Against a backdrop of cocoa topping $11,000 per metric ton on the futures market for the first time last week, Oxfam says its experts will be highlighting the discrepancies in farmgate price at this week’s World Cocoa Conference (WCC) in Brussels (21-24...

Climate change can significantly affect farmer working practices. Image supplied by author.

Cocoa feels the bite of climate change

By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Climate change will affect many industries, but few more than cocoa. While farmers on the ground struggle with fluctuating climatic conditions changing working practices, large companies grapple with environmental regulation.

Should vanilla production be stopped? GettyImages/Diana Miller

Should vanilla production be stopped?

By Donna Eastlake

Vanilla is one of the most common flavours for sweet treats around the world. But is the farming of this much-loved spice sustainable? And, if not, should we be consuming it at all?

Cocoa prices continue to climb on the futures markets. Pic: CN

Commodities

Another week, another record high for cocoa prices

By Anthony Myers

Market update: Analysts have described the upward trajectory of cocoa prices as ‘parabolic’ as cocoa futures rose another 2.7% to a new record of $10,760 a ton in New York on Monday (15 April) before falling back to £10,000 a ton after the dollar index...

Cargill explores cocoa and nut-free vegan confectionery

Plant-based confectionery

Cargill explores cocoa and nut-free vegan confectionery

By Anthony Myers

Global cocoa and ingredients company Cargill has announced a new commercial partnership with Voyage Foods to produce alternatives to cocoa-based products and nut spreads without using cocoa, peanuts, and hazelnuts.

Barry Callebaut Group CEO Peter Feld. Pic: Barry Callebaut

Barry Callebaut reports sales rise of 11%, operating profit falls 40%

By Anthony Myers

Barry Callebaut, the world’s largest cocoa and chocolate supplier, reported a sales rise of 11% to 4.6 billion CHF ($5.09bn) compared to last year, but one-off expenses caused by its transformation plan amounted to a lower-than-expected half-year profit.

Why are consumers turning away from dairy? GettyImages/Tony C French

Why are consumers turning away from dairy?

By Donna Eastlake

The consumption of dairy products such as milk, butter and cheese is on the decline. But what’s the reason for this and can the dairy industry turn this trend around?

Increasing consumer engagement through social media. GettyImages/Urupong

Increasing consumer engagement through social media

By Donna Eastlake

Whether you’re a start-up or a long-established brand, continued consumer awareness and interest is fundamental to achieving success in the global marketplace. So how can you use social media to do this?

Source: Getty/fcafotodigital

Umami Bioworks, Shiok Meats merge to scale cultivated seafood production

By Deniz Ataman

Umami Bioworks and Shiok Meats merge to accelerate the development of sustainable seafood solutions to “provide consumers with mercury-free, nutritious and culturally relevant seafood alternatives, thereby contributing to the regeneration of marine ecosystems,”...

Spin-offs, or divestments, can give companies more control over their supply chains. Image Source: Getty Images/Betsie Van der Meer

How food company spin-offs handle supply chains

By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

When a food company spins off from its parent, it gains a greater degree of control over its supply chain. But with this, it acquires new levels of responsibility.

How is the food industry tackling salt reduction? GettyImages/AJ Paulsen

How is the food industry tackling salt reduction?

By Donna Eastlake

High levels of salt in food is becoming an increasing concern for healthcare professionals and consumers as the dangers of a high-salt diet becomes more widely understood. So how is the food industry tackling this issue?

Whatever the affect of regenerative agriculture on the environment, investment is needed. Image Source: Getty Images/aluxum

Who funds regenerative agriculture?

By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Regenerative agriculture, without clearly defined practices or financial incentives, and with uncertain results, needs money to thrive. But where will this money come from?

Cocoa farmers in Cote d'Ivoire plant new seedlings to promote agroforestry. Pic: Nestlé

sustainability

Nestlé onboards suppliers to help cocoa farmers with climate change

By Anthony Myers

Nestlé has announced it is launching two new projects to help address the impact of climate change on cocoa and reduce and remove carbon emissions from its supply chains—as part of its commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

How is the food industry supporting childhood nutrition? GettyImages/Image Source

How is the food industry supporting childhood nutrition?

By Donna Eastlake

From infancy through to adolescence, nutrition is essential in ensuring a healthy body and mind for our youngsters. So how can this be achieved and what it the food industry doing to help parents?

Will EU delay EUDR deadline? GettyImages/luoman

Will EU delay EUDR deadline?

By Donna Eastlake

Rumours are rife that the EU is planning to delay the EUDR deadline past 30 December 2024. But is this true, and if not, are suppliers and manufacturers ready?

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