West Africa
CIGCI cocoa initiative moves towards key farmer payment recommendations
The Ivory Coast-Ghana Cocoa Initiative’s (CIGCI) Technical Working Group on Price and Markets has agreed a strategy towards delivering a more sustainable long-term pricing mechanism for the sector’s agricultural workers in the region, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Sustainability
Studies claim only 45% of Ivory Coast cocoa crops can be traced to buyers
Sector concerns have been raised in the wake of a new industry study on transparency and traceability of cocoa supply chains in Ivory Coast, revealing that 45% of crops can be tracked back to the original buyer, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Regulatory, Sustainability
Earthworm organisation hails results from Ghana cocoa farmer digital payment scheme
The Earthworm Foundation has reported positive progress with a digital payment system designed to support Ghana’s cocoa farmers, amid concerns surrounding traditional methods of payment posing security risks, reports Neill Barston.
Fairtrade joins with Mars and Ecookim for Ivory Coast cocoa farmer support venture
Fairtrade has joined with Mars and co-operative organisation ECOOKIM for a key initiative seeking to drive the delivery of improved wages for farmers within Ivory Coast, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Ghana cocoa farmers set for 21% increases in payment after producer pay review
Ghana’s cocoa trade body, Cocobod, has confirmed that the Producer Price Review Committee (PPRC) has announced a 21% increase for the levels paid to the sector’s cocoa farmers, rising from GH¢10,560 per tonne to GH¢12,800.00 per tonne, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Processing, Sustainability
Ghana-based Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice staff hold key workshop tackling child labour
The International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) has reported that staff from the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice in Ghana, who have been trained in its practices held a key workshop focused on tackling child labour within the country, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Regulatory, Sustainability
International Cocoa Initiative hosts Ghana training scheme tackling child labour
Swiss-based non-profit foundation The International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) has successfully hosted a four-day training workshop for selected staff of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), as part of ongoing initiatives tackling child labour, reports Neill Barston.
Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Sustainability
Major chocolate companies cleared of latest key US child labour lawsuit brought by Mali citizens
Major chocolate brands including Hershey, Nestle, Mars, Mondelez and Cargill have recently been cleared in a lawsuit brought by eight individuals from Mali in a key case involving alleged child slavery in Ivory Coast cocoa farms, according to Reuters.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Regulatory, Sustainability
Cargill’s chocolate and cocoa president welcomes sustainability progress
Harold Poelma, president of Cargill’s cocoa and chocolate business, has welcomed progress made in the company’s key 2021 Sustainability Progress Report, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Sustainability
ICCO cocoa organisation expresses concerns over global market impact of Ukrainian conflict
The ICCO International Cocoa Organisation has expressed concerns regarding the Ukranian conflict’s impact on its own agricultural sector, with crops and as well as valuable fertiliser supplies impacted by the situation, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Cargill makes further multi-million investment into Ghana cocoa processing site
The Cargill group has confirmed completion of $13 million expansion of its cocoa processing facility in Tema, Ghana, marking a notable expansion of grinding capabilities within the region, which is seen as critical for developing the country’s industry infrastructure, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Regulatory, Sustainability
Barry Callebaut recognised with A rating for fourth successive year in CDP deforestation studies
Sustained progress from Barry Callebaut against tackling deforestation in supply chains has been recognised by CDP, the non-profit environmental organisation, which has rated the company among the top performing global climate leader, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Cocoa coalition of key confectionery brands welcomes EU progress on deforestation legislation
A cocoa coalition of chocolate companies including Ferrero, Hershey, Mars Wrigley, Mondelēz International, Nestle, and Tony’s Chocolonely, alongside Fairtrade International and Rainforest Alliance have welcomed EU progress on deforestation regulations, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
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