farming

Ivory Coast’s 11% farmer pay increase falls short of industry’s hopes

The Ivory Coast has confirmed it is set to raise farmgate prices for cocoa by 11%, following calls from farmers for a significant rise in light of crop prices reaching sustained highs on global commodity markets, reports Neill Barston.

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

World Confectionery Conference Exclusive: Fairtrade Foundation continues fight for farmers’ rights

This year’s World Confectionery Conference will again feature a keynote speaking contribution from Fairtrade on its positive action with the crucial cocoa supply chain. Neill Barston speaks to Surmaya Talyarkhan, senior sustainability sourcing manager for cocoa, at Fairtrade Foundation, who discusses her work ahead of appearing at our 2023 show.

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

Ivory Coast and Senegal cocoa and cashew farmers gain €26 million EIB and Cofina investment

Sustainable agriculture, including cocoa and cashew production, in Ivory Coast and Sengal has been given a €26 million boost, as the European Investment Bank and Cofina Group confirm an agreement to support core farming operations within the region, reports Neill Barston.

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

World Confectionery Conference focus: Evolving the Luker Chocolate Dream

Our World Confectionery Conference has continued its strong thread of focus on sustainability, and the cocoa sector remains key to its future. Luker Chocolate joins our event’s Q&A session – here Julia Ocampo, the company’s vice president of cacao sourcing and sustainability explains the company’s vision

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Sustainability

Ferrero’s sustainability report reveals continued progress on key operational goals

A core achievement has been delivered by the Ferrero Group, as it expressed confidence in achieving its principal environmental and broader operating goals as it released its 14th sustainability report, writes Neill Barston.

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

ICCO report reveals cocoa prices hit near seven-year high

Cocoa commodity prices have rallied to a seven-year high to around the $3,000 in New York and £2,300 in London, amid a global production shortfall, according to latest figures from the ICCO, writes Neill Barston.

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

Exclusive video: Cargill World Confectionery Conference focus

This year’s World Confectionery Conference is set to be hosted in Harrogate, Yorkshire, UK, drawing together a wealth of dynamic industry speakers representing the full range of the global confectionery sector and its supply chains.

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

Oxfam report on Ghana farmer earnings places pressure on sector sustainability

The latest report from Oxfam in the past week highlighting the plight of cocoa farmers in Ghana amid the impact of the present global cost of living crisis is particularly concerning to discover.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Sustainability

Barry Callebaut moves to enhance Forever Chocolate sustainability targets

The Barry Callebaut Group has asserted that its core Forever Chocolate programme geared around lifting 500,000 cocoa farmers out of poverty by 2025 remains on track, according to its latest assessment, reports Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Sustainability

Major environmental matters continue to take centre stage across the sector

With this week seeing the International Day of Forests and today marking World Water Day, it seems as if there has never been a greater level of focus placed on major environmental matters impacting the world, industry and wider society.

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

Dove Galaxy embarks on global empowering women in cocoa campaign

The Mars-owned Dove Galaxy chocolate brand has unveiled plans for a major campaign targeting one million people through measures designed to empower women in core cocoa growing communities, reports Neill Barston.

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

Fairtrade Fortnight set to begin with Endangered Aisle pop up event

Fairtrade Fortnight in the UK is set to kick off featuring a pop up, The Endangered Aisle, in East London, placing a spotlight on the major environmental and wider social challenges facing key supply chains, including the cocoa trade, writes Neill Barston.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Regulatory, Sustainability