Living Income Differential

Hershey’s West African sustainability programme reinstated after being banned marks a key milestone

With sustainability being firmly at the core of many companies’ agendas within the confectionery sector, the breaking news that Hershey had been banned from carrying out its activities supporting cocoa farmers in West Africa was hugely significant.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Sustainability

Ban on Hershey operating its sustainability programmes lifted in Ivory Coast

The ban on Hershey’s sustainability activities in Ivory Coast has been lifted, as the business reaffirms its commitment to the country’s Living Income Differential (LID) for enhanced payment of farmers, writes Neill Barston.

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

Hershey buys futures market cocoa amid concerns over West African support scheme

US confectionery company Hershey has reportedly moved to buy up to 30,000 tonnes of cocoa on the New York Futures trading market, which is not subject to the new Living Income Differential (LID) scheme designed to financially boost farmers’ wages in Ghana and Ivory Coast, writes Neill Barston

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

Major $10 billion income gap for Ghana and Ivory Coast farmers remains a critical sector goal

Delivering on cocoa supply chain sustainability remains the most single pressing task for major players within the confectionery industry, with an especially notable milestone having just been put down.

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

The BDSI highlights decline in German cocoa grinding, amid wider market falls

The BDSI German trade association for the confectionery sector has raised ongoing concerns about a decline in cocoa grindings for the third quarter, which it reveals is having an ongoing impact on the sector.

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

European Cocoa Association shows regional cocoa grindings fall amid challenging market

The latest quarterly figures have been released by the European Cocoa Association, which showed that cocoa grindings are down by 4.7% amid challenging conditions.

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Processing, Sustainability

Dawn of the Living Income Differential’s potential major impact on West African cocoa farming

This past week has seen the key start of the latest cocoa season within West Africa, which sees the introduction of the Living Income Differential put forward by the governments of the Ivory Coast and Ghana to support farmers wages. In a guest blog, Kojo Hayford, managing editor of Ghana’s Cocoa Post, reflects on its potential impact

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

Ghana and Ivory Coast governments join forces with new body for the cocoa sector

The governments of the Ivory Coast and Ghana have reportedly joined forces to create a new body designed to set market prices, combat child labour and enhance research between the two West African nations.

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

Ghana’s Cocobod pledges renewed action on alleged cocoa weight tampering

The Ghana Cocoa Board (Cocobod) has pledged action in the wake of a TV documentary focusing on alleged tampering of weighing scales by Licenced Buying Companies (LBCs) operating within the cocoa sector, reports Neill Barston.

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