trade

BDSI confectionery body raises concerns, as German sector exports continue decline

Germany’s BDSI confectionery organisation has warned that challenging national economic conditions have seen confectionery exports slide 0.6% in the first quarter of 2024, following a 1% decline last year, reports Neill Barston.

Caobisco joins fellow key industry indutry organisations calling for enhanced EU open trade policies

Caobisco, the European confectionery trade association has joined a total of 30 other major business groups in calling on the EU to adopt an ambitious and open trade policy with nations around the world to promote competitiveness and economic prosperity, writes Neill Barston.

Fairtrade Foundation’s mission remains vital three decades on

While the Fairtrade Foundation laid the groundwork for the movement in the early 90s, it was a couple of years later in 1994 when the UK gained its first glimpse of Fairtrade chocolate, which made notable national and international headlines.

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

Exclusive: The World Cocoa Conference: the sustainability journey continues

As Antonie Fountain asserted for the final session of the World Cocoa Conference, “All of us in cocoa are like Lord of the Rings’ Sam Gamgee – if we take one more step in our sustainability journey, we are further from home than we have ever been, because we have come so far already,” reports Neill Barston.

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

Guest blog: Brexit: the ‘gift’ of trading chaos for small businesses that keeps on giving

As Confectionery Production has reported over the past few years, Brexit has continued to cause companies across the UK and continental Europe a number of significant financial and administrative burdens that have significantly impacted on their ability to trade. Here, Oliver Shorts, co-owner of ethically-founded British confectionery brand, Seed & Bean recounts the latest incident to befall the business in attempting to simply deliver goods to Europe.

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

Caobisco joins European organisations calling on EU to agree major Mercosur trade deal

Caobisco, the European chocolate, biscuits and confectionery sector organisation, has joined a total of 22 industry associations in calling on the EU and the South American Mercosur nations to conclude the long-running trade negotiations to unlock perceived major mutual economic benefits, reports Neill Barston.

Business news, Ingredients, Regulatory, Sustainability

Fairtrade responds to UK government White Paper on international development

Fairtrade has urged the UK government to engage with millions of smallholder farmers, including those in the cocoa sector, in response to the administration’s International Development White Paper, reports Neill Barston.

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

Choco Tec event to place major industry topics in the spotlight

Confectionery Production is glad to be supporting this year’s Choco Tec event, which is set to be taking place in Cologne, Germany, this December, with a broad range of speakers being lined up.

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

Easter confectionery production remains strong in Germany, despite key industry challenges

Studies from Germany’s BDSI confectionery trade association have shown that for Easter 2022, around 239 million chocolate bunnies were produced nationally, despite major challenges from the pandemic, ingredients prices and supply chain issues, writes Neill Barston.

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

Brexit trade crisis continues to impact UK confectionery sector

The UK confectionery market continues to grapple with the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic while dealing with price changes and labour shortages caused by post-Brexit trading issues. Daisy Phillipson reports

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

FDF figures reveal British exports down £2.7 billion by Q3 of 2021

Latest figures from the Food and Drink Federation have revealed that exports in the sector are down £2.7bn (-15.9%) in the first three quarters of 2021 compared to pre-pandemic levels, writes Neill Barston.

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

Ghana’s Cocoa Board signs key $1.5 billion finance agreement for farmer payment

The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has secured a $1.5billion pre-export finance agreement with a consortium of local and international financial institutions, enabling cocoa purchasing for its critical 2021/2022 season.

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

Germany’s BDSI confectionery body expresses concerns over ‘significant declines’ in exports

Germany’s federal confectionery association, the BDSI has reported ‘significant declines’ its key export markets, with continued pressure on sales amid the impact of the global coronavirus pandemic, reports Neill Barston.

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

Fairtrade studies reveal its work offers vital boost for Ivory Coast farmers

Latest research from Fairtrade into living standards for cocoa farming families has revealed that on average, those benefitting from its trading initiatives have seen a boost amounting to an average 9% to household incomes beyond essential provisions, reports Neill Barston

Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Sustainability