West Africa
Cocoa and Forests Initiative claims progress, while key challenges remain
Governments in Ivory Coast and Ghana, along with a total of 35 major companies in the sector part of the Cocoa & Forests Initiative (CFI) have reported gains towards tackling deforestation in region, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Regulatory, Sustainability
Swiss cocoa platform marks fifth anniversary with call for greater farmer support
A meeting of marking the fifth anniversary of the Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa has examined key progress over five years targeting sustainability goals within the sector’s supply chains, centred on exploring solutions to support key farming communities, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Regulatory, Sustainability
Caobisco welcomes EU legislation plans for delivering deforestation-free products including cocoa
Caobisco, the European chocolate, biscuit and confectionery trade association, has backed EU plans for regulation on deforestation-free products, including the key cocoa supply chain serving the sweets and snacks sector, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Food safety, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
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
AAK extends Kolo Nafaso shea scheme backing ethically produced chocolate
Global ingredients firm AAK has extended its West African Kolo Nafaso shea sourcing programme to support the growing demand for ethically produced chocolate confectionery, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Sustainability
Fairtrade studies reveal Ivory Coast cocoa farmers gained increased incomes
A major study from Fairtrade comparing cocoa farming household income in Ivory Coast over the past four years has shown boosted incomes and lower incidences of extreme poverty, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Divine Chocolate set for major rebrand amid sustainable cocoa sector mission
A major rebrand has been confirmed for the ethically founded Divine Chocolate company from this September, as it continues its mission supporting key supply chain cocoa producing nations, writes Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Packaging, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Latest ILO and UNICEF studies find troubling rise in global child labour
Levels of global child labour have increased considerably in the past for years, by 8.4 million, to 160 million worldwide, according to studies by the International Labour Organisation and UNICEF, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
International Cocoa Initiative creates study on monitoring child labour within the sector
The International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) has established a new study aiming to create operational definition of a Child labour monitoring and remediation systems (CLMRS), to establish a framework that will monitor progress, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Regulatory, Sustainability
Nestlé releases its Incoa chocolate made from unsweetened cacaofruit
The global Nestlé group is set to roll-out its Incoa chocolate series, made entirely with the cocoa fruit, introducing Incoa, with the 70% dark bar being released under the Les Recettes de L’Atelier brand, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, New products, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Hershey reveals improved annual results despite pandemic
US-based Hershey has released its latest annual results that reveal net sales of $8.1 billion, up by 2% in 2020, despite the ongoing trading tests of the coronavirus pandemic, reports Neill Barston.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
Consumer demand for ethically produced confectionery continues to grow
Findings from a Cargill survey this month that showed 70% of consumers in Europe are willing to pay more for sustainably source chocolate ranges is something of a landmark moment.
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Processing, Regulatory, Sustainability
The International Cocoa Organisation continues its mission in relocated African headquarters
The International Cocoa Organisation plays a significant role in some of the sector’s key markets. Poorna Rodrigo reports for Confectionery Production on the group’s move from the UK to Ivory Coast
Business news, Cocoa & chocolate, Ingredients, Sustainability