inflation

UK’s Food and Drink Federation welcomes inflation drop, yet pricing and sector investment challenges remain

The UK’s Food and Drink Federation has welcomed a continued fall in inflation within the sector falling to 1.5%, though the organisation noted continued challenges from key retail categories including powdered cocoa and chocolate (18% and 13% respectively) within the past year, reports Neill Barston.

Nestlé sales impacted by weaker consumer demand, yet KitKat performance continues growth

Nestlé has reported its latest annual results, which revealed a dip in sales to CHF92.9 billion for 2023, from CHF94.4billion the previous year, as it acknowledged weaker demand from consumers, with an ongoing cost of living crisis having an impact, writes Neill Barston.

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

Barry Callebaut posts revenue upturn amid challenging global market conditions

The Swiss-headquartered Barry Callebaut Group has released its latest quarterly figures revealing revenue gains of 14.1%, to CHF 2.2 billion driven by adjusted cocoa pricing, and an increase in sales volumes, rising 0.4% to 580,876 tonnes, against a ‘challenging and declining’ chocolate market, reports Neill Barston.

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

FDF welcomes drop in sector inflation, yet cocoa prices remain notably high

The UK’s Food and Drink Federation has welcomed figures revealing an easing of inflation within the sector, down to 8%, last month, from near-record highs experience last year, which impacted significantly on the cost of living crisis for consumers, writes Neill Barston.

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

State of the sector report reveals concerning picture for UK manufacturing and exports

The latest State of Industry report from the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) certainly makes for comparatively sobering reading, and is unequivocally clear that combined factors of Brexit, soaring inflation and the ongoing war in Ukraine have all negatively impacted the UK.

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

Inflation causing consumers to reduce grocery spending

New research by Ingredient Communications has revealed that there has been significant growth in the number of consumers cutting back on their grocery shopping in the past year, as a result of inflation with retail prices for confectionery among those on the rise.

Business news, Ingredients, Regulatory

Confectionery sector faces turbulence from key inflationary pressures

With market turbulence continuing to dominate many headlines around the world, latest analysis from GlobalData revealing that the chocolate and wider confectionery market remains notably vulnerable to inflationary pressures is a concerning prospect for the sector.

Business news, Regulatory, Sustainability

Germany’s BDSI confectionery trade group warns of major industry crisis

Germany’s BDSI confectionery trade body has warned the country’s industry is facing a severe combination of major challenges including the ongoing pandemic, rapidly rising energy costs and increased raw ingredients prices, reports Neill Barston.

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

Barry Callebaut considers closing UK manufacturing site

The Barry Callebaut Group has confirmed it is exploring potential closure of its UK confectionery manufacturing facility at Moreton, Wirral, writes Neill Barston.

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

The return of ‘Shrinkflation’ affecting Cadbury Dairy Milk bars is an unwelcome development

Guest blog: The decision by Mondelēz to reduce Dairy Milk sharing bars by 10% in size has re-ignited the ‘shrinkflation debate’ on how manufacturers handle inflationary pressures. Cloe Legrand, consumer analyst at GlobalData, offers her view on this major industry topic.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Sustainability

Valeo Fox’s Glacier Mint factory strike continues over pay and conditions

Employees at Fox’s Glacier Mint factory in York, UK, have entered a third day of strike action in protest at their terms of pay and conditions, writes Neill Barston.

Business news, Regulatory

11th hour Brexit deal offers a degree of business certainty for UK and EU

Finally, just a day before the end of 2020, a Brexit trade deal was eventually sealed between Britain and the EU over its future trading relations.

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