agriculture

Bühler assembles sector leaders for Networking Days eco summit

A total of 1,000 leading sector decision makers have gathered at equipment, systems and technology group Bühler’s Swiss headquarters for its Networking Days event, writes Neill Barston.

ICCO’s Michel Arrion opens 10th anniversary Chocoa with key farmer pay plea

MIchel Arrion, executive director of the International Cocoa Organisation opened this year’s Chocoa Amsterdam Sustainable Cocoa Conference with a key call to triple crop prices to offer a major boost to farmers, reports Neill Barston.

ICCO expresses concerns over upcoming cocoa crops, with global production levels forecast for decline

The International Cocoa Organisation today has projected a notable 6% decline in global production of cocoa to 4.923 million tonnes for the 2021/22 season, amid major headwinds from the Russian invasion of Ukraine, trade disruptions and increased freight costs, writes Neill Barston.

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

Belgian premium chocolate brand Guylian confirms plans to convert to Fairtrade cocoa

Belgian premium chocolate brand Guylian has formed a partnership with Fairtrade, which will see the brand convert 100% of its cocoa to align with the global ethical movement, writes Neill Barston.

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

Olam Food Ingredients’ latest cocoa and forests report highlights deforestation action

Olam Food Ingredients has released findings from its latest Cocoa and Forests report, revealing key environmental work by the business regarding its supply chain activities in Ghana and Ivory Coast, writes Neill Barston.

Fairtrade appoints Sandra Uwera as new global CEO

Fairtrade International has appointed Sandra Uwera as its new global CEO to lead its ongoing social justice and sustainability mission, including improving conditions for communities serving cocoa supply chains, writes Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Sustainability

ICCO cocoa organisation confirms project managing cadmium levels in crop supplies

The International Cocoa Organisation has confirmed plans to deliver a project designed to manage the levels of cadmium present in cocoa sourced from Latin America and Caribbean, writes Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients, Regulatory, 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

Winners of the global Cocoa of Excellence awards named in virtual ceremony

During a virtual ceremony broadcast to more than 70 countries, the 2021 Cocoa of Excellence Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards winners celebrated being among the highest grade producers in the world.

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

Former Barry Callebaut CEO Antoine de Saint Affrique returns to its board, as company presses sustainability targets

The Barry Callebaut group’s annual general meeting has seen a return for former CEO Antoine de Saint-Affrique as a board member of the company, and the reelection of Patrick De Maeseneire as Chairman, writes Neill Barston.

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

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

US stores take centre stage for national Fairtrade month campaign

Fairtrade America has launched its second annual, national campaign highlighting how buying its certified products can make a powerful difference to nearly two million farmers- including cocoa workers, participating across the movement’s global schemes, writes 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

Mars Wrigley collaborates with SwissDeCode on testing system for cocoa swollen shoot disease

A significant collaboration has been confirmed between Mars Wrigley and agrifood company SwissDeCode for on-site testing designed to detect Cocoa Swollen Shoot Disease (CSSD) in asymptomatic trees in less than 60 minutes, reports Neill Barston.

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

CarobWay delivers an ancient crop with a modern twist and snacks potential

Israeli-based FoodTech and agriTech start-up CarobWay is seeking to bring the ancient Biblical carob fruit to the modern table as a super-nutritious, highly sustainable food crop with snacks and confectionery potential, writes Neill Barston.

Business news, Ingredients, New products, Sustainability

World Cocoa Foundation confirms new president to continue cocoa sustainability mission

The World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) has named experienced non-profit sector professional Martin Short as its new president to continue its mission of driving cocoa supply chain sustainability, writes Neill Barston.