Ghana
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
Tony’s Chocolonely launches dark milk bar for UK market
Netherlands-founded confectionery brand Tony’s Chocolonely, which has placed ethical trading as its core goal, is launching a new dark milk chocolate bar for the UK market, as it urges the industry to increase its action on child labour.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Packaging, 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
Rainforest Alliance releases new sustainability certification programme
The Rainforest Alliance has released a new sustainability certification system featuring more robust criteria, measurement, and impact featuring several key innovations.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Sustainability
Ghana’s Cocoa Board to unveil $600 million loan scheme for key sector projects
The Ghana Cocoa Board (Cocobod) is set to launch a $600 million syndicated loan facility that has been established with Development Finance Institutions (DFI) to provide funding for key investment projects within the cocoa industry.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Regulatory, Sustainability
Greater progress required on key schemes to lift African cocoa farmers from below poverty line
Edward Akapire (below), head of region, Fairtrade Africa West Africa Network, reflects his observations on the key improvements that need to be made within the cocoa sector that will deliver on the progress being made by farming reforms in Ghana and Ivory Coast It is 6.00am in Divo in the heart of Côte d’Ivoire in […]
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Regulatory, Sustainability
International Cocoa Initiative report highlights need for urgent joint action
The International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) is marking World Day Against Child Labour today (12 June), in releasing its 2019 annual report highlighting progress made and urgent combined sector measures required to tackle what remains a major industry issue.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Regulatory, Sustainability
Fairtrade report claims key progress on training West African cocoa farmers
A series of schemes from Fairtrade International designed to assist cocoa farmers in Ghana and Ivory Coast has made notable gains in improving conditions for communities, according to a progress study. Neill Barston reports.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Processing, Sustainability
Coronavirus pandemic may increase child labour, but a path to child-labour free cocoa exists
Child labour within the cocoa sector remains a key matter for the confectionery sector, with around 2 million children in Ghana and Ivory Coast alone said to be in some form of labour, despite the sector’s efforts to respond on the issue. In this guest blog Kunera Moore, Lead – tackling child labour at the Rainforest Alliance, offers some hope on this major issue
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Regulatory, Sustainability
Cargill’s Sustainability Report reveals key measures to support global farmers
Enhancements to Cargill’s cocoa harvesting processes in adopting barcoded cocoa bags and digital (CMS) systems, 50 percent of sustainable beans in the global direct supply chain are now traceable from farm-to-factory.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Cocoa and Forests Initiative plants four million trees in drive against deforestation
Cocoa & Forests Initiative (CFI), has reported major progress towards ending deforestation in Ghana and Ivory Coast, with four million trees planted and a million farmers receiving training. Neill Barston reports.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Rainforest Alliance releases annual reports on progress towards key sustainability and environmental goals
The global Rainforest Alliance organisation has released its latest annual report, detailing projects with over two million certified farmers in over 70 countries on key social and environmental challenges including farmer livelihoods, child labour and deforestation. Neill Barston reports.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Regulatory, Sustainability
Fairtrade report highlights urgent need for joint industry action on sustainability schemes
The latest set of studies from Fairtrade released this week into sustainability initiatives in core cocoa growing locations including Ghana and Ivory Coast have produced some extremely notable findings.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Sustainability