UN
Cocoa sector sustainability in West Africa remains under considerable threat
This week’s column is devoted to echoing the views expressed a few days ago by Brett Beach, director of ethically founded chocolate brand Made In Africa, regarding cocoa sustainability.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Sustainability
Olam reaches milestone of 100% child labour cocoa supply chain monitoring
Cocoa specialist Olam Food Ingredients (OFI), has delivered a major milestone of establishing child labour monitoring across its entire network of sustainability programmes operating in nine countries, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Nestlé releases latest shared value sustainability report
The Nestlé group has unveiled its 2020 Creating Shared Value (CSV) and Sustainability Report that has underlined the completion of the majority of its sustainability commitments including on child labour and deforestation, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, 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
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
Chocoa online conference opens with calls for action on cocoa prices and sustainability collaboration
The opening day of Chocoa’s online Amsterdam Sustainable Cocoa Conference featured a key discussion of the importance of sharing data monitoring of cocoa farming operations for the future viability of the sector, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Sustainability
ICCO cocoa research symposium unveils September date
The International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO) and French institution Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) plan to hold the second edition of the International Symposium on Cocoa Research between 29-29 September 2021, in Montpellier, France, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Sustainability
Major public-private sector Ghana venture aims to help deliver cocoa sustainability
A major €2.3 million initiative between public sector, private sector and civil groups is being launched into key aspects of sustainability surrounding Ghana’s cocoa industry, in a bid to ensure its future viability reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Environmental and human rights groups unite for declaration urging cocoa sustainability action
A total of 350 environmental, human rights and NGO groups have combined as signatories for a landmark letter urging the governments of Ivory Coast and Ghana to take key steps ensuring environmental sustainability and support for farmers within the cocoa supply chain. Neill Barston reports.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
BDSI expresses concern for cocoa industry over sharp decline in European grinding results
The Federal Association of the German Confectionery Industry (BDSI) has expressed concern at a sharp downturn in cocoa grinding serving the chocolate and confectionery industry, which has been badly affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Neill Barston reports.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, 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
Key sector report highlights value of digital payments to Ghana’s farmers
The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) has released a report with the UN-based Better Than Cash Alliance of governments and companies, aiming to bring about major payment efficiencies for farmers in Ghana through introducing digital transactions. Neill Barston reports.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients, Regulatory, Sustainability
Major industry study highlights supply chain imbalances driving confectionery retailing
A major sector study has been launched into retail product pricing trends for chocolate and cocoa-based products, examining how key improvements can be made throughout the entire production value chain to support farmers. Neill Barston reports.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Processing, Sustainability
International Cocoa Initiative finds coronavirus causes spike in child labour within supply chains
Studies from the International Cocoa Initiative have found a concerning significant rise in the number of Ivory Coast children carrying out hazardous work within cocoa production. Neill Barston reports.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Regulatory, Sustainability