Blogs
Pressure on manufacturing a key headache for UK chancellor Rishi Sunak’s latest budget
With the ongoing coronavirus continuing to affect markets around the world, the fact job losses, uncertainty and business disruption remain a factor in the industry and all areas of the economy, is unfortunately not unsurprising.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Packaging, Processing, Sustainability
Confectionery takes its place at the tip of a potential robotic retail revolution
Amid all the challenging headlines of the past year, it’s something of a relief to encounter some slightly more upbeat news that greeted us with the novel confectionery innovation of a US pilot of a robot serving customers in a New York store.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Regulatory, Sustainability
Major issues remain to ensure the cocoa sector’s future sustainability
While it’s fair to say that mainstream global news media rarely ventures into often remote seeming matters surrounding the cocoa sector and the wider confectionery industry it serves, this past week in particular, has witnessed a major spotlight being placed upon it.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Processing, Sustainability
Cadbury Dairy Milk production return to the UK offers highlight amid wider sector tests
For British-based followers of the confectionery world, the breaking news that Cadbury would be bringing back production to the UK was indeed something to be celebrated.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Rise of plant-based confectionery and snacks could herald the year of ‘healthier’ options
It’s looking very much as if 2021 could well be ‘the year of plant-based ranges’ across the food sector, and confectionery is clearly no exception to that, as strides continue to be made with new product launches.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Sustainability
Sustainability remains top of the industry’s agenda
Two of the standout developments for the confectionery sector in recent days have concerned very differing areas of sustainability – Tony’s Chocolonely delivering its series of ‘look-alike’ chocolate bars, and Nestle’s global first in moving from plastic to paper packaging.
Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
The rise of smaller confectionery ranges as a major consumer choice could be on the horizon
This week’s blog follows on from my last post, in placing the thorny issue of shrinkflation under the microscope, whereby the industry has come under scrutiny for unexpectedly reducing product size amid rising production costs without a corresponding cut in retail prices.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Packaging, Processing, Sustainability
Shrinkflation product reduction continues with Nutella’s reduced jar sizes
The concept of ‘shrinkflation’ where products are reduced in pack size with no corresponding reduction in retail price is one that’s been with us for many years, much to the general dismay of consumers.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Packaging, Regulatory, Sustainability
Mondelez deal for US snacks business Hu Master Holdings reveals major market focus
US snacks giant Mondelez has added another healthier product business to its portfolio in the form of Hu Master Holdings. In our latest guest blog, Dean Best of GlobalData, believes the business is right to react to evolving consumer trends through M&A.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Sustainability
11th hour Brexit deal offers a degree of business certainty for UK and EU
Finally, just a day before the end of 2020, a Brexit trade deal was eventually sealed between Britain and the EU over its future trading relations.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Consumer demand for ethically produced confectionery continues to grow
Findings from a Cargill survey this month that showed 70% of consumers in Europe are willing to pay more for sustainably source chocolate ranges is something of a landmark moment.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Wishing you all a fine festive time this Christmas
As we rapidly approach Christmas, Confectionery Production would like to wish you all a fine festive time in spite of the pandemic that has impacted on all areas of our lives this year
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Processing, Sustainability
Trading stakes remain high as Brexit plays out its final twisting festive chapter
After a saga lasting four years, it’s not hard to have sympathy with many across the political divide and general public alike that have suffered clear fatigue from observing the process of Brexit play out before us highly unpredictable fashion – and in just a couple of weeks it’s supposed to be over.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Hershey’s West African sustainability programme reinstated after being banned marks a key milestone
With sustainability being firmly at the core of many companies’ agendas within the confectionery sector, the breaking news that Hershey had been banned from carrying out its activities supporting cocoa farmers in West Africa was hugely significant.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Sustainability