Blogs
Business confidence hangs in the balance as final countdown over Brexit trade deal continues
This past week, the UK’s Food and Drink Federation and Santander UK laid out the latest situation for the sector in terms of its performance, which brought cause for concern with a record low level of confidence for the quarter, that both organisations hoped would be offset with potential for exploring new markets around the world.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
World Confectionery Conference continues to gather pace for 2021 event
With a little over six months before our revised date for the World Confectionery Conference, the event is entering the final stages of planning for what should prove a memorable event celebrating the entire value chain of the industry.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Hope is on the horizon with major seasonal confectionery launches ahead
While we are still in August of what has proved a particularly testing year, confectionery manufacturers are already fixing their gaze on the vital Christmas market.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Packaging, Processing, Sustainability
The demise of Public Health England leaves key sugar reduction targets in limbo
Why might the demise of PHE be significant to the confectionery sector? Well, the most glaring reason is the much publicised campaign that sought to drive sugar reduction within the confectionery and wider food and drink sector in 2017 is now effectively dead in the water.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Marathon bars make unexpected return to the British confectionery scene
As a child of the 1980s, one of my favourite confectionery brands was the much-celebrated Marathon chocolate bars here in the UK – so when its manufacturer Mars brought the brand name back after 30 years (from switching to its US name Snickers), for a limited summer run in 2019, it was met with much approval.
Time for business stars to shine with the World Confectionery Awards
Plans for our rescheduled World Confectionery Conference are moving forward with plenty of optimism for our fresh date of 26 March, 2021, in Brussels, Belgium.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Industry doubts whether banning television advertising on treats will impact on reducing obesity
This week has again brought a renewed spotlight on the major issue of obesity, which has been characterised as having reached crisis levels within the UK, with two thirds of UK adults considered as being overweight, according to Public Health England.
Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Sustainability
Time is not on our side for delivering tangible change for cocoa sustainability in Ghana and Ivory Coast
Building on last week’s news of events within the cocoa sector, sustainability is once again making major headlines with regard to a landmark new declaration relating to key markets in Ghana and Ivory Coast. This latest letter, from a combined total of 350 environmental, human rights and NGO groups has urged the two West African […]
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Digital payments for Ghana’s cocoa growing communities could prove vital to the sector
A report authored by the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) and the UN-based Better Than Cash Alliance has highlighted a core issue of only 10% of payments being made digitally for farmers in Ghana’s cocoa sector – despite the fact that 90% of farmers now own mobile phones, according to latest research.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients, Regulatory, Sustainability
Marking some sweet celebrations for World Chocolate Day
It seems these days, there’s an international day for everything – and confectionery isn’t to be outdone with 7 July being that very occasion, marking World Chocolate Day.
Manufacturing and engineering will need major support amid economic challenges
The emergence of a study commissioned by industry organisation Make UK and the Santander Banking group revealing that the British manufacturing sector may not recover until 2022 has made for sobering reading.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Celebrating a growing number of women within engineering and manufacturing
For some years now, governments and industrial sectors around the world have stepped up their efforts to recruit a greater number of women into engineering roles – not before time in the view of many.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Greater progress required on key schemes to lift African cocoa farmers from below poverty line
Edward Akapire (below), head of region, Fairtrade Africa West Africa Network, reflects his observations on the key improvements that need to be made within the cocoa sector that will deliver on the progress being made by farming reforms in Ghana and Ivory Coast It is 6.00am in Divo in the heart of Côte d’Ivoire in […]
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Regulatory, Sustainability
Two metre rule for social distancing is costing industry severely
The coronavirus pandemic has had a major impact on all aspects of our lives, including business conditions. Our guest blogger this week, Natalka Antoniuk, of Quadrant2Design, shares her view on the two-metre social distancing rules.