agriculture
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.
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.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Sustainability
ICCO revises global cocoa harvests projections to highest ever world production levels
The International Cocoa Organisation has revised its crop forecasts for the 2020/21 including overall levels of global cocoa harvests, with a record-high projection of 5.141 million tonnes now anticipated for world production volumes, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Processing, Sustainability
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