South America

CIUS sugar group and Abicab confectionery body back EU Mercosur trade deal

A combined total of 79 major industry organisations including CIUS, European sugar users association and Abicab Brazilian confectionery body have called on EU and South American nations to urgently finalise the Mercosur trade deal, reports Neill Barston.

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

Bolivian cacao sourced for Kindred Forest’s sustainable Christmas chocolate release

Amid a flurry of festive confectionery releases, a stand-out development in ethical sourcing has been unveiled as sustainable confectionery brand, Kindred Forest unveils the launch of its Bolivian Wild Beniano Cacao chocolate bar, writes Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Packaging, Sustainability

Exclusive: Caobisco Congress addresses major confectionery industry challenges

Major topics surrounding the delivery of enhancing sustainability across the confectionery sector were placed in the spotlight for this week’s Caobisco Congress held in Brussels, Belgium, reports Neill Barston.

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

Mars makes strides with Sustainable in a Generation project, yet key environmental tests within supply chains remain

Mars has asserted it remains on track to achieve its 2050 net zero environmental goals, with the release of its 2023 Sustainable in a Generation report part of a $1 billion investment gearing towards achieving its milestone targets, reports Neill Barston.

Exclusive: Caobisco sets out major five-year confectionery sector manifesto

The Caobisco European confectionery organisation has laid out an ambitious manifesto for the next five years, placing sustainable sourcing and promotion of proactive and transparent trade at its core, reports Neill Barston.

Focus: Luker Chocolate’s Cacao Effect project records Colombian success

With sustainable sourcing at the centre of its business, Luker Chocolate has been at the forefront of delivering best practice in supply chains. Here, the company offers an overview of its longest running “Chocolate Dream’ project, the Cacao Effect in Colombia.

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

Cargill pledges to ramp-up targets on eradicating South American deforestation

Cargill has confirmed an ambitious target to accelerate commitments to end direct and indirect deforestation in supply chains within Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay by 2025 from key crops including wheat, soy and corn, which are widely used within snacks and confectionery ingredients, writes Neill Barston.

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

KBF’s Warrior sports nutrition bars gain export traction in Peru

British sports nutrition business KBF Enterprises, has reported further export success after confirming the launch of its Warrior products in Peru, further enhancing its global footprint, reports Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients

Luker Chocolate celebrates female farmers engaging with cocoa sector digital transformation

Colombia’s Luker Chocolate has highlighted a drive towards supporting female farmers create enhanced sustainability practices within cocoa growing operations, writes Neill Barston.

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

Barry Callebaut hails progress on cocoa farmer digital payments

Barry Callebaut has highlighted notable progress with thousands of additional farmers beginning to receive digital payments for their beans, offering a secure system that enhances traceability of farmer income, reports Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Regulatory, Sustainability

Ofi releases latest Cocoa Compass study, acknowledging industry scaling up requirements

Progress on key sustainability goals has been detailed by Ofi in its latest Cocoa Compass report addressing child labour monitoring, support for agricultural supply chains and action on deforestation, writes Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Sustainability

Beneo announces multi-million investment in capacity extension for prebiotic chicory root fibre

Functional ingredients manufacturer Beneo is launching a multi-million investment programme to expand capacity for its prebiotic chicory root fibre production sites in Pemuco, Chile and Oreye, Belgium

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Processing

Child labour proves a major focus for World Cocoa Foundation meeting

Tackling child labour emerged as a key area for the opening sessions of the World Cocoa Foundation partnership meeting, with its global members calling on industry for combined urgent action, writes Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients

Cargill progresses production plans for $150 million Brazilian pectin plant

Global production is set to shortly begin at Cargill’s new advanced $150 million pectin production facility, located in Bebedouro, Brazil, serving a number of markets including confectionery segments, reports Neill Barston.

Business news, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability

Luker Chocolate enters fast-rising oat milk bar market with healthier option series

Colombian ethically-founded Luker Chocolate has released its latest bar series featuring oat milk and organic sugar in response to sustained growth in the market for healthier confectionery options, reports Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Sustainability

Cargill expands global pectin footprint with opening of $150 million Brazil facility

Cargill’s pectin plant located in Bebedouro, Brazil, significantly expands the company’s ability to meet growing global demand for the label-friendly texturizing ingredient.

Business news, Ingredients

Olam faces prosecution over alleged child labour within Brazilian supply chains

Olam International has reportedly found itself among one of three food companies being sued by Brazilian state prosecutors over claims of failing to address child labour concerns within its supply chains – which the company strongly denies, writes Neill Barston.