Blogs
Time once again for confectionery companies to shine at our World Confectionery Awards
Our 2025 edition of the World Confectionery Conference on 11 September in Brussels, will also see a return for our World Confectionery Awards, celebrating the achievements of equipment, ingredients and finished product businesses from around the globe, as well as fast-rising companies.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Confectionery sector continues resilient mood ahead of Sweets & Snacks Expo
Our May edition of Confectionery Production has freshly hit the printing presses, and is now also available digitally, with two prime focuses in the form of the fast approaching Sweets & Snacks Expo, as well as our own World Confectionery Conference.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
A welcome raise in cocoa farmer pay remains the start of industry journey
With all that has been transpiring within international affairs over the past month, it would have been very easy not to have spotted the decision by authorities in Ivory Coast to raise cocoa prices paid to farmers by 22% for its upcoming mid crop.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Make the most of World Confectionery Conference 2025 early bird rates
Plans for our World Confectionery Conference this year are fast taking shape, with our keynotes assembled for the event, as it calls in on Brussels to once again put some of the biggest issues, developments and trends under the spotlight.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
China strikes back with fresh tariffs on US after America raises rates, as global trade war escalates
Just under a month on from tackling the thorny subject of trade tariffs in this column, and it has swiftly escalated to become a full-on trade war between the US and China, in a return showdown from 2018 that played out over 18 months.
Guest blog: EU carbon farming agenda can support cocoa and chocolate firms lead environmental change
The recent EU Carbon Farming Summit in Dublin actively explored how entire supply chains can play their part in carbon reduction delivery, as our guest blog from Nikol Ostianova, chair of the technical committee, International Platform for Insetting
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Sustainability
Reaching out to the TikTok generation pays off for major confectionery brands
Ask anyone in the marketing world about precisely how you reach out to target demographics, and invariably, you will receive a response that you have to reach out to people, whatever their age or background, on their own terms and preferred platforms and outlets.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Sustainability
Exclusive guest blog: Brazil pledges to double cocoa production by end of decade
Tony Myers, editor of Cocoa Radar, offers an exclusive blog for Confectionery Production, reflecting on the World Cocoa Foundation’s major two-day partnership meeting this week, which highlighted the prospect for the industry’s growth in its host nation of Brazil.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Regulatory, Sustainability
Ghana’s cocoa crisis requires major structural changes to ensure its future
The recent assertion from Ghana’s newly-elected president John Mahama that Cocobod, the organisation overseeing the second largest cocoa supplying nation on earth stands to lose a projected figure of $1.3 billion due to contracts being rolled-over for a year at the height of crop prices is particularly concerning.
US trade tariffs could hit entire food and drink sector including confectionery
One of the most urgent global trade topics dominating headlines these past few weeks has been the prospect of US tariffs being placed on global goods from around the world – including the possibility of food and drink segments such as chocolate, snacks and bakery.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Packaging, Regulatory, Sustainability
State of the Industry Conference proves especially thought-provoking for major policies
This week’s State of the Industry Conference in Miami has once again set a high bar on delivering some genuine, precise insights into the US region’s performance, as well as providing an invaluable chance for the sector to exchange ideas.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
EU Commission’s Omnibus sustainability plans aim for simplification, but are simply inadequate
When the starting position of a piece of legislation seeks to limit some of the most critical aspects of its due diligence requirements simply to companies of 1,000 employees or more, then you know there are serious problems ahead.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Regulatory, Sustainability
Guest blog: Placing ‘factory earth’ first remains crucial for the fate of all business sectors
Bastien Sachet, CEO, Earthworm Foundation, offers a key view on why companies need to be more focused than ever on delivering sustainability policies at a time when there is industry lobbying pressure on watering down incoming measures amid economic turbulence
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
From exotic elixir to 3pm snack
As we enter the fifth year of preparations for another edition of World Confectionery Conference, it is impossible not to think of how chocolate, consumer demands and market trends have drastically changed in the last five years.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Sustainability