mars
Ghana and Ivory Coast governments report on combined deforestation CFI action plans
The governments of Ghana and Ivory coast, alongside 35 key companies in the cocoa and confectionery trade part of the Cocoa & Forests Initiative (CFI) have reported on combined actions tackling deforestation, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Mars moves to further champion key Living Income Differential cocoa scheme
Mars Wrigley has moved to champion the Living Differential payments to cocoa farmers – amounting to $400 a tonne, stating that everyone in the supply chain should thrive, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Mars extends its confectionery series with orange maltesers biscuits
Mars Chocolate Drinks and Treats (MCD&T) has unveiled the latest entrant for its range in the form of Orange Maltesers Biscuits.
Behind the scenes: Oxfam reports stalled industry progress on supply chain sustainability
With the coronavirus pandemic impacting notably on food insecurity around the world, Oxfam assesses major companies including Mars, Mondelez and Nestle, regarding progress on sustainability goals, and finds that despite positive gains, progress has stalled in some key policy areas
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
WCF welcomes latest Ghana sector agreement tackling deforestation
A key step towards tackling deforestation in Ghana’s core cocoa growing regions has been made, as authorities sign an agreement with industry to accelerate combined conservation and restoration measures, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Regulatory, Sustainability
Mars steps up to help deliver greater industry gender equality
A key news development this week that seen Mars step up become a vice chair at the Unstereotype Alliance campaigning for gender equality in media advertising has to be welcomed as an extremely positive move.
Mondelez, Mars and Nestle back Consumer Goods Forum projects tackling forced labour and deforestation
Major confectionery groups including Mondelez, Mars and Nestle, as part of the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF), have backed the organisation’s first ever Forest Positive Coalition of Action report, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Processing, Sustainability
Easter confectionery hopes may be fuelled by growth in online retailing
As communities around the world settle down to celebrate Easter this weekend around the world, it’s certain that there will be plenty of opportunity to reflect on the monumental events of the past year.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Processing, Sustainability
Pladis annual biscuit review sees 2020 sales rise despite pandemic
The 2020 annual UK biscuit market review from pladis has revealed further overall market growth of 7.2% for the category, to £2.96 billion, despite pandemic conditions, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Regulatory, Sustainability
Easter industry scorecard raises key concerns over cocoa sector sustainability performance
An industry Easter Scorecard on cocoa sustainability compiled by NGO’s including Be Slavery Free, Green America, INKOTA, Mighty Earth and the National Wildlife Federation has raised key social and environmental concerns over companies’ performance, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Regulatory, Sustainability
Mars joins venture assisting Ghana’s women shea farmers
Mars, Incorporated, has joined with industry partner AAK and the US Agency for International Development (USAID/Ghana) in a 10-year project assisting women farmers in North Ghana with sustainable shea production, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Regulatory, Sustainability
Seven chocolate manufacturers named in Ivory Coast cocoa sector child labour lawsuit
A landmark court case has begun in the US against seven major chocolate companies on behalf of eight Malian young men who claim to have been victims of child trafficking, and forced to work on cocoa plantations in Ivory Coast, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, 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
Mars agrees £350 million deal with DHL for UK logistics expansion
The Mars group has confirmed a partnership valued at £350 million with logistics business DHL, for a major project to construct two key warehousing facilities that significantly enhance its delivery operations, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Packaging, Processing, Sustainability