West Africa
Tony’s Chocolonely backs UK’s Better Business Act supply chain law
Confectionery brand Tony’s Chocolonely has joined with B Corp UK ethically certified companies calling for the Better Business Act, delivering legislative change ensuring firms benefit complete supply chains, reports Neill Barston.
Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Regulatory, Sustainability
Olam reaches milestone of 100% child labour cocoa supply chain monitoring
Cocoa specialist Olam Food Ingredients (OFI), has delivered a major milestone of establishing child labour monitoring across its entire network of sustainability programmes operating in nine countries, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Cocoa surplus and pandemic conditions see sector concerns, as market prices fall
The ICCO (International Cocoa Organisation) has released its latest market report, as it notes an issue with a surplus of supplies and the ongoing covid pandemic impacting negatively on cocoa prices, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Processing, Sustainability
Ghana Cocoa Awards celebrate resilience of the country’s cocoa sector
The second annual Ghana Cocoa Awards named Rahul Gopinath, CEO of Ecom Ghana, as the Cocoa Personality of the Year, in the event that successfully championed a number of unsung heroes for the sector who have shown determination amid the ongoing coronavirus, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Processing, Sustainability
Fairtrade raises concerns for farmers rights relating to new UK Environment Bill
The Fairtrade Foundation is seeking greater assurances from the UK government over its new Environment Bill, which delivers due diligence measures banning British firms from selling products with a connection to deforestation overseas, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Ghana Cocoa Board presents its farmer of the year accolade
The Ghana Cocoa Board has named Nana Kwabena Ponkoh II from Atatoase in the Obuasi District of the Ashanti Region as the 2020 National Best Cocoa Farmer.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Sustainability
Cargill creates new digital supply chain mapping tool for consumers
The Cargill group has unveiled a new digital portal demonstrating traceability in its cocoa supply chain and allowing consumers the chance to more closely examine the origins of their products, reports Neill Barston
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
EU begins key dialogues with Ghana and Ivory Coast on sustainability
The European Commission has undertaken a key initiative this week aimed at delivering tangible improvements to sustainability polices within the cocoa sector, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Sustainability
Nominations continue for the 2020 Ghana Cocoa Awards
Over 30 award categories are up for grabs as nominations continue for the 2020 Ghana Cocoa Awards, an industry scheme in its second year that recognises and celebrates sector excellence.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Fairtrade Foundation calls on UK companies to back greater due diligence of global supply chains
The Fairtrade Foundation has called on British companies to increase their efforts to tackle human rights violations within global supply chains, including the cocoa sector, reports Neill Barston
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Regulatory, Sustainability
Olam confirms 100% cocoa sourcing traceability in its supply chains
Ingredients business Olam Cocoa has confirmed it has now achieved 100% traceability of directly sourced cocoa across its international supply chain, reports Neill Barston
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Sustainability
Focus: Exploring a year in the life of a new cocoa farm in Ghana
Editor Neill Barston speaks to Marc Jean-Baptiste (left of pic, below), a high school teacher from Boston, US, on establishing a project in Eastern Ghana, working with a small team of five, who have operated a new cocoa farm for the past year. He discusses the state of the cocoa sector in the West African nation, as well as plans for the upcoming living differential payments being unveiled for farmers from this autumn in a drive for greater sustainability within the key cocoa sector.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Regulatory, Sustainability
Bunge Loders Croklaan opens key Ghana shea butter processing site
Speciality oils and fats business Bunge Loders Croklaan (BLC), has officially opened an advanced shea butter processing facility in Tema, Ghana, with applications across the snacks, confectionery and bakery segments.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Sustainability
The International Cocoa Initiative calls for greater industry-wide action on child and forced labour
The International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) has called for ‘a massive expansion’ of collaboration from the industry’s key players to reach out at risk children and adults who are vulnerable to forced labour within the sector, reports Neill Barston
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability