EU
Focus: While the confectionery sector remains resilient, barriers to industry recovery still exist
Despite confectionery markets having proved relatively resilient amid the pandemic, notable barriers to recovery remain, as reporter Nicholas Wallace writes
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
The shocking tide of global child labour poses major societal and industry challenges
The latest figures from Unicef and the International Labour Organisation that reveal child labour has risen by over 8 million in four years, to a huge total of 160 million, are exceptionally shocking.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
EU delegation meets online with Ghana officials over cocoa sustainability
The EU has continued web-based discussions with Ghana’s Cocobod cocoa organisation and the country’s Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, on delivering sustainability within the sector, writes Neill Barston.
Food and Drink Federation snapshot finds UK exports to EU, including chocolate, remain down
The UK’s Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has produced its second industry trade snapshot with the EU that revealed export figures remained down for the month of February, according to its latest analysis, reports Neill Barston.
CIUS European sugar users’ group backs calls to maintain existing EU market trading systems
CIUS, the committee of European Sugar Users has placed its support behind the EU Commission and Council in arguing against any changes to the present operation of the region’s sugar markets, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Ferrero achieves target of sourcing 100% sustainable cocoa supplies
The Ferrero confectionery group has confirmed it has achieved a target of sourcing 100% sustainable cocoa through independently managed standards, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Sustainability
Impact of Brexit and Covid felt as confectionery exports nosedive
The UK government’s latest figures on British chocolate exports to the EU reducing by 68% in January due largely to Brexit policies makes for extremely sobering reading for all involved.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
EU and US deliver cocoa sustainability funding for Ghana and Ivory Coast
Key multi-million funding towards delivering sustainable cocoa production in core markets of Ivory Coast and Ghana has been put forward by the EU and US-based Department of Labour, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Regulatory, Sustainability
UK’s Firetree chocolate supported by EU-backed MEIF loan to develop new ranges
Premium UK chocolate brand Firetree has gained a £250,000 MEIF (Midlands Engine Investment Fund) loan to help meet increasing domestic and export demand for its series, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
CAOBISCO joins coalition calling for EU and US to end damaging multi-billion trade tariffs
CAOBISCO, the Brussels-based confectionery trade association has joined over 70 organisations across the EU and US, calling on new American president Joe Biden and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen to immediately suspend major tariffs upon sectors unrelated to the ongoing Boeing/Airbus dispute, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Swiss confectionery sector sets key sustainable sourcing goal
Swiss chocolate manufacturers have set a goal of importing only sustainably grown cocoa into the country, with an interim target of 80% of its supplies to be firmly within this category by 2025, according to Chocosuisse, the national sector association, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Processing, Regulatory, 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
Food and Drink Federation issues further plea for support as exports continue to fall
The UK’s Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has issued an urgent plea to government for enhanced assistance to businesses as latest figures show exports fell by 11.6% for the third quarter, to £5.5 billion, year-on-year, owing to the pandemic, reports Neill Barston
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Regulatory, Sustainability
German confectionery body BDSI offers cautious welcome to EU wide labelling
Germany’s national confectionery body, the BDSI has welcomed the Federal Government continued support for Europe-wide introduction of visualised nutrition labelling, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Ingredients, New products, Regulatory, Sustainability