agriculture
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
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
Olam reports sustained half-year growth for its businesses including cocoa production
The global food and agri-business Olam Group has posted a key upturn in its half-year results, with profits standing up at $421 million for the period, up 26%, for the business, after a major re-organisation of its activities, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Cargill unveils sustainable cocoa butter series sourced from West Africa
Cargill’s beauty division has moved to create a sustainable cocoa butter series, as part of the company’s Cocoa Promise initiative supporting farmers and their communities, enabling them to achieve better incomes and living standards, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Sustainability
Fairtrade progress on farmer payment offers hope amid ongoing challenges
The latest analysis from Fairtrade on its achievements on the ground in Ivory Coast offers some potential light at the end of an especially long tunnel.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, 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.
Tate & Lyle progresses key Chinese stevia sustainability programme
Sweetener solutions group Tate & Lyle PLC has developed a key sustainability initiative in China, enabling stevia growers in China to lower their environmental impact, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Sustainability
Fairtrade’s video campaign tackles ‘unethical sourcing’ on World Chocolate Day
A major global campaign has been launched by Fairtrade, centred on a new stop-motion animation film, “Unwrap a Fairer Future,’ addressing key issues behind what it asserts are ‘unethical sourcing practices by some major chocolate companies,’ writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Ghana cocoa sustainability conference highlights urgent need for farmer support
A key sustainability conference in Ghana has agreed that enabling farmers to earn fair incomes for the production of cocoa is vital for securing the sector’s future, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Fairtrade studies reveal its work offers vital boost for Ivory Coast farmers
Latest research from Fairtrade into living standards for cocoa farming families has revealed that on average, those benefitting from its trading initiatives have seen a boost amounting to an average 9% to household incomes beyond essential provisions, reports Neill Barston
The shocking tide of global child labour poses major societal and industry challenges
The latest figures from Unicef and the International Labour Organisation that reveal child labour has risen by over 8 million in four years, to a huge total of 160 million, are exceptionally shocking.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Focus: Tony’s Chocolonely reveals progress against its ‘slave free’ cocoa sector mission
The issue of sustainability remains at the top of the pile within the cocoa sector’s agenda. Paul Schoenmakers, head of impact at Tony’s Chocolonely, discusses its progress on the issue, and responds to concerns over its approach to tackling the major ongoing sector problem of child labour. Neill Barston reports.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability