Alex Assanvo

Ivory Coast and Ghana Cocoa Initiative creates working group to improve market prices

The Ivory Coast and Ghana Cocoa Initiative (CIGCI), have established a working group of member countries and sector stakeholders, aiming to drive improved cocoa pricing mechanisms and deliver a sustainable sector for key farming communities facing major tests, writes Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Sustainability

Behind the scenes: Driving cocoa sustainability in West Africa

Among core topics for this year’s World Confectionery Conference was the key issue of sustainability as it relates to core cocoa supply chains. Editor Neill Barston speaks exclusively to Alex Assanvo, executive secretary of the Ivory Coast and Ghana Cocoa Initiative on tackling major sector issues

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Sustainability

World Confectionery Conference Brussels 2022: event review

This year’s World Confectionery Conference was successfully held in Brussels, Belgium, covering a broad spectrum of
key topics for our industries, as editor Neill Barston reports

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability

Alex Assanvo, Ivory Coast and Ghana Cocoa Initiative: World Confectionery Conference preview

Neill Barston, editor of Confectionery Production magazine, speaks exclusively to Alex Assanvo, executive secretary of the Ivory Coast and Ghana Cocoa Initiative, ahead of his appearance at the World Confectionery Conference 2022 on 9 September in Brussels.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Regulatory, Sustainability

Exclusive video: Alex Assanvo cocoa sector World Confectionery Conference interview

With critical industry supply chains facing continued pressures, we offer an exclusive video interview with Alex Assanvo, Executive Secretary of the Ivory Coast and Ghana Cocoa Initiative, ahead of his appearance at the World Confectionery Conference.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Regulatory, Sustainability

Ivory Coast and Ghana Cocoa Initiative moves to prevent low value crop sales to support farmers

A major move to support farmers in West Africa has been confirmed by the Ivory Coast and Ghana in deciding to no longer sell their cocoa at origin differentials below zero, from as much as 125 pounds below the ICE terminal market, writes Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability

Nestlé unveils plans offering farmer payments tackling cocoa sector child labour

Nestlé has moved to enhance its programmes addressing child labour with an income accelerator scheme in Ghana and Ivory Coast offering incentivised payments to farmers and advancing best agricultural practices, reports Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Regulatory, Sustainability

World Cocoa Foundation set to address key industry sustainability issues

The latest World Cocoa Foundation partnership meeting is planning to address a host of key issues facing the sector including child labour, delivering a living wage, and a pressing need for due diligence legislation, writes Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Packaging, Regulatory, Sustainability