Ghana
Ghana’s Cocoa Board signs key $1.5 billion finance agreement for farmer payment
The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has secured a $1.5billion pre-export finance agreement with a consortium of local and international financial institutions, enabling cocoa purchasing for its critical 2021/2022 season.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Sustainability
Fairtrade’s COP26 paper calls on global governments to back smallholder farmers over climate solutions
The Fairtrade movement has called on international communities to include smallholder farmers – who are vital to cocoa production, to considered as central in delivering long-term climate solutions, ahead of the UN’s Climate Change Conference (COP26) beginning next month in Scotland, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Sustainability
Mars Wrigley offers progress update on its sustainable cocoa sourcing goals
Mars Wrigley has offered an update on its sustainable cocoa sourcing progress, which it began three years ago with its Cocoa for Generations strategy forming part of its responsible sourcing initiatives, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
ICCO revises global cocoa harvests projections to highest ever world production levels
The International Cocoa Organisation has revised its crop forecasts for the 2020/21 including overall levels of global cocoa harvests, with a record-high projection of 5.141 million tonnes now anticipated for world production volumes, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Processing, Sustainability
Barry Callebaut gains industry recognition for its ongoing sustainability operations
The Barry Callebaut Group has for the third year running been named by sustainability organisation Sustainalytics as among industry leaders in managing environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks with its supply chains, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Processing, Sustainability
Technology-led solutions may hold the key to reshaping the chocolate confectionery sector
So much for August being the traditional quiet period when the vast majority of the confectionery sector appears to wind down for holiday season – these continue to feel like unprecedented times on a number of fronts.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Processing
AAK extends Kolo Nafaso shea scheme backing ethically produced chocolate
Global ingredients firm AAK has extended its West African Kolo Nafaso shea sourcing programme to support the growing demand for ethically produced chocolate confectionery, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Sustainability
Rainforest Alliance continues cocoa community support with latest annual report
The Rainforest Alliance non-profit organisation has released its annual report for 2020, highlighting key work across its global activities including support for major cocoa growing communities around the world, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Regulatory, Sustainability
Science and technology combining for key solutions for the global cocoa sector
This week has seen Cargill confirm a potentially gamechanging research project with US agricultural business Aerofarms, a specialist in vertical indoor farming, on cocoa research to assist creating more resilient strains of crops.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Regulatory, Sustainability
Cargill targets major cocoa breakthrough with Aerofarms B-Corp vertical farming research
A major research project has been undertaken by Cargill with certified B Corporation vertical indoor farming business AeroFarms targeting key improvements for cocoa crops and delivering climate resilient farming techniques, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Sustainability
Greggs retailers commit to 100% Fairtrade chocolate product ranges
UK on-the-go retailer Greggs has confirmed plans to ensure it uses 100% Fairtrade chocolate across its supply chain and in chocolate ranges across its stores, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Ivory Coast’s Cocoa Fruit Lab set to create first female-owned micro factory in the country
An innovative initiative in Ivory Coast, the Cocoa Fruit Lab, is being devised to create the first women-owned micro-factory in the country to produce sustainable cocoa, chocolate and related juice products, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa hails supply traceability gains in annual report
The Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa (SWISSCO) has unveiled its latest annual report, detailing key achievements including its members committing to full supply chain traceability for imported products, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Processing, Sustainability
Cargill and CARE combine in cocoa community project building six Ghanaian schools
Cargill has continued its work with humanitarian charity CARE to support cocoa communities in Ghana with an initiative to build six new schools in the country, reports Neill Barston.