brexit

Behind the scenes: Plamil living the vegan dream by the sea

With a million-pound investment in new chocolate processing equipment and latest vegan product lines, Plamil Foods is facing wider production challenges of recruitment and navigating Brexit fallout with genuine optimism, as editor Neill Barston reports

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

FDF trade snapshot shows key export losses, including within confectionery markets

The UK Food and Drink Federation’s latest full-year trade snapshot for 2021, has revealed sector exports were 13.1% down against figures from three years ago, at £20.2 billion, reports Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Ingredients, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability

The rise of Shrinkflation continues to make its mark as manufacturers feel the strain

Alas, it seems it’s back in town, like the equivalent of the party guest that nobody really wants to see, “shrinkflation” of product portion sizes is on the horizon once more amid major pandemic, Covid-19 and post Brexit pressure on manufacturers.

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

UK supply chain crisis continues to impact across business sectors

Mounting concerns regarding supply chain shortages across the food and drink sector, including the confectionery, snacks and bakery markets within the UK remains particularly concerning.

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

Industry warning of further festive store shelf shortages over Brexit supply chain concerns

An industry warning has been issued that the UK faces further potential supermarket shelf shortages – including confectionery, snacks and bakery aisles, amid Brexit-related supply chain complications, reports Neill Barston.

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

BDSI raises significant concerns over sharp raw ingredients price rises for confectionery

The BDSI German confectionery trade body has expressed further concerns regarding ‘significant increases’ in raw materials prices, energy costs as well as rises in logistics and packaging costs that are impacting the sector, reports Neill Barston.

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

Key global confectionery deals herald improving markets

While the past 18 months have proved particularly challenging for many businesses across the confectionery sector, major investments are continuing to be made by some of the sector’s biggest players, which bodes well for the overall market.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, New products

UK chocolate export sales to EU suffer major drop amid Brexit and pandemic challenges

A significant drop in UK chocolate confectionery exports to the EU of 18.5% in the first half of 2021 compared to the same period in 2019, has been recorded, impacted by continued Brexit trading complexities and the coronavirus pandemic, according to Food and Drink Federation (FDF), analysis, reports Neill Barston.

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

Germany’s confectionery sector feels the pinch of Brexit just as equally as the UK

The latest warning from Germany’s BDSI confectionery sector organisation that its exports remain notably challenged due to Brexit offer further evidence that the matter is far from settled across Europe.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Regulatory, Sustainability

Manufacturing survey finds UK SME companies hindered in recovery due to pandemic and recruitment issues

A key industry study has found that major supply chain issues amid the coronavirus pandemic, as well as recruitment challenges are impacting on the recovery of SME manufacturers in the UK, including across the food and drink sector, writes Neill Barston.

Business news, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory

UK’s Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls hails revival in EU trading with latest Danish order

UK traditional sweet brand Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls has reported a is enjoying a return to European trading with its first reported order from Denmark in two years amid wider interest from other EU countries, writes Neill Barston.

Business news, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Regulatory

Food and Drink Federation appoints Karen Betts as chief executive

The UK’s Food and Drink Federation is set to appoint a new chief executive, Karen Betts, to lead the organisation from 2022, reports Neill Barston

Business news, Food safety, Ingredients, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability

Haribo hit by shortage of lorry drivers amid Brexit complications

German-based confectionery group Haribo has confirmed it is experiencing delivery difficulties within the UK due to a shortage of lorry drivers serving the industry, writes Neill Barston.

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

UK chocolate exports to EU drop 36% over two years amid Brexit and Covid-19 pressures

Export values of chocolate from the UK to the EU have fallen significantly from 2019 to 2021, with figures down 36.9% (to £99 million), as the wider food and drink sector markets trade to the European bloc drops by a total of £2 billion in the past two years amid Brexit and Covid-19 impacts, reports Neill Barston.