Cocoa

In order to conform to the EUDR, cocoa must be traceable. Image Source: Getty Images/MilenaKatzer

How Nestlé is making its cocoa more traceable

By Augustus Bambridge-Sutton

Nestlé is striving to make its cocoa traceable right back to the farm. Can the multinational give consumers confidence they’re eating sustainable cocoa?

Manufacturers of dark chocolate may be more able to pass price rises on to consumers. Image: Getty/ Alvarez

How manufacturers can survive the cocoa crisis

By Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe & Jess Spiring

Soaring costs and a dwindling supply of cocoa mean innovation and creativity are essential for chocolatiers who hope to weather the supply storm

A report by a coalition of leading retailers has found both positive and disappointing progress in the cocoa sector. Pic: GettyImages

Just how ready is the cocoa sector for EUDR?

By Gill Hyslop

Despite a deadline that is still seven months away, the incoming EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is already driving efforts on the traceability of cocoa supplies. Conversely, the same study found a distinct lack of progress on other critical issues...

Image: Getty/	ampueroleonardo

Sustainability

Cocoa investors request major chocolate companies pay farmers more

By Anthony Myers

An investor letter issued earlier this month by non-profit Investor Advocates for Social Justice (IASJ) has called out international chocolate companies to end what it described as “exploitative purchasing practices,” mainly in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.

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.

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.

A farmer delivers cocoa beans to a processing facility in the Dominican Republic. Pic: CN

Special report

Global cocoa shortage puts pressure on suppliers and manufacturers

By Anthony Myers

While there is no indication the world is not about to run out of chocolate any day soon, there are concerns from manufacturers and suppliers that the current high prices and shortage of cocoa beans will push up costs further and, in some cases, restrict...

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.

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.

Cocoa beans are in short supply. Pic: CN

Commodities

Future of cocoa under threat as prices skyrocket due to bean shortages

By Anthony Myers

UPDATE: TUESDAY 26 MARCH 2024: Cocoa prices continued to rise this week. Earlier today the price of cocoa beans smashed through the $10,000 a ton for the first time in the futures market after posting gains all week - with chocolate makers passing on...

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...

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.

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.

Cocoa trees naturally absorb cadmium from soils via their roots and deposit it in the nibs (centre) of cocoa beans. Pic: As You Sow

Special report

Chocolate companies respond to latest claims of excessive cadmium in cocoa

By Anthony Myers

Consumer Reports (CR), a US independent, non-profit member organisation, has doubled down on its campaign against lead and cadmium in chocolate and urges changes after a new survey finds a third of products contain ‘concerning’ levels of heavy metals.

Pic: GettyImages

Sustainability

New database launched to drive innovation in Sustainable Food Systems

By Anthony Myers

IFIS Sustainability a cutting-edge, free Abstracting and Indexing (A&I) database that curates the latest scientific research at the intersection of food and sustainability, has launched a new digital tool providing food innovators access to the latest...

Image: Getty/Media Lens King

Cocoa leaders demand a fair price for all

By Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe

Off the back of Tony's Chocolonely’s warning that the new cocoa farmgate price is still too low, other chocolate brands and global organisations call for an end to corporate greed and push for equity.

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