EU
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
BDSI expresses concern at ongoing US tariffs on German bakery exports
The Federal Association of the German Confectionery Industry (BDS) has expressed concerns over ongoing US tariffs imposed on its sweet pastry category goods, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Ingredients, New products, Regulatory, Sustainability
Confectionery supply chain due diligence becomes ever-more vital for cocoa sector
The issue of due diligence within confectionery supply chains is particularly topical, with mounting pressure on industry to deliver major progress on key environmental and corporate goals to improve conditions for key cocoa farming communities in Africa, as Keith Nuthall reports for Confectionery Production
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
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
CBI welcomes prospect of relaxed border controls for EU imports from 2021
UK business trade organisation CBI has welcomed a UK border planning decision to apply less stringent controls from the EU to Britain, than had been expected, as the Brexit transition period ends this December. Neill Barston reports.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Call for extending trade negotiations amid pandemic makes sound business sense
Without doubt one of the most significant news stories of the past week has been the plea from the Caobisco European confectionery organisation for the EU and UK to continue crucial trade talks beyond the fast-approaching cut-off point of December 2020.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Regulatory, Sustainability