EU
UK’s global chocolate exports buck trend, increasing slightly for 2020 despite pandemic conditions
The latest annual report from the UK’s Food and Drink Federation has found that global exports of chocolate in 2020 bucked a broader downturn, recording 1.1% growth to £786 million, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
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
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
FDF offers key warning as UK’s EU confectionery exports slump
The UK’s Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has expressed concern over figures revealing British export sales fell overall by 75% in January 2021, with confectionery among the worst segments affected, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, 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
Germany’s BDSI industry group lobbies for EU-wide sustainability policy
Germany’s BDSI (Federal Association of the Confectionery Industry), has renewed calls for an EU-wide policy ensuring joined-up sustainability policies in its crucial cocoa supply chains, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Sustainability
UK manufacturers urge government to work with EU in preventing costly border delays
British-based manufacturers, including confectionery, snacks and bakery operations, have called on the government to work with the EU to urgently resolve critical border delays caused by complex paperwork brought about by Brexit, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Food safety, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, 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
Bell Flavours develops latest organic ranges amid changing EU certification rules
In response to changing EU regulations on organic food product ranges, Bell Flavours & Fragrances EMEA has launched a range of certified products for segments including confectionery and snacks, which will enable manufacturers to keep their organic labelling, writes Neill Barston
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Caobisco joins major coalition calling for end to EU/US Boeing trade dispute
The Caobisco European confectionery association has joined a coalition of 13 industry groups calling for the EU and US to de-escalate a multi-billion Boeing and Airbus trade dispute, writes Neill Barston
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Business confidence hangs in the balance as final countdown over Brexit trade deal continues
This past week, the UK’s Food and Drink Federation and Santander UK laid out the latest situation for the sector in terms of its performance, which brought cause for concern with a record low level of confidence for the quarter, that both organisations hoped would be offset with potential for exploring new markets around the world.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Processing, 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
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