Why Veganuary is the new seasonal sweet spot for Swizzles
Candy manufacturer Swizzles is bolstering its vegan sweet production capacity ahead of Veganuary, but will the investment pay off?
Manufacturers
New Product Development from Toblerone to Hotel Chocolat
Staying up to date with the newest confectionery products, trends and flavour combinations on the market is key to keeping on top of the fast-paced and competitive sweet sector.
Calorie-free sweetener producer pursues sweet protein growth
Amai Protein receives industry-nod for ‘designer sweetener’ that’s 3000 times sweeter than sugar.
Donut brand Drumroll adds fuel to ‘rocket ship year’ with $3m in capital from 7 Mile Brands
Drumroll Snacks received $3 million in capital from CPG incubator 7 Mile Brands to fuel growth after a "rocket ship year," as the better-for-you sweet baked goods brand gears up to go after large national accounts like Whole Foods and Sprouts, the two...
Tony’s Chocolonely and The Washington Post spotlight cocoa injustices
Tony’s Chocolonely partners with The Washington Post to spark dialogue and raise awareness about exploitation in the cocoa industry in a unique attempt to rewrite the sector's negative narrative.
Franuí expands into the UK market with chocolate-covered raspberry bites
Franuí is bringing its handcrafted, sustainable treats to London, targeting health-conscious consumers with premium ingredients.
Pricing fears grow ahead of Halloween
Cocoa and sugar prices are reported to have reached frightening highs, with alarming price rallies predicted.
Hershey leans into value, flavor with Kit Kat, Reese's, Jolly Ranchers
The multinational candy maker aligns with shoppers’ interest in value-oriented products reflected through its Reese’s and Kit Kat brands, while Jolly Ranchers' brand refresh features new textures and formats.
The story behind Million Dollar Chocolate Monkey Bread
Million Dollar Chocolate Monkey Bread took the baking world by storm, offering a decadent spin on a beloved classic. What lessons can the industry learn from its rise to fame and how can other traditional treats be reinvented for modern tastes?
How the confectionery space is avoiding the impact of plastic on the environment
PFAS and their impact on public health remain a key issue as the industry swaps plastic for paper.
Feastables joins Tony’s Open Chain
US social media-savvy brand Feastables collaborates with Tony Chocolonely’s Open Chain to develop a new benchmark in the cocoa industry.
AI - like having a crystal ball for flavour trends
Here’s what the future of confectionery flavours has in store...
How gifting brings together top confectionery trends
Sweet-treat gift-giving creates engagement and brand loyalty, so it’s no wonder many global brands are tapping into the purchasing driver.
Mars scales its sustainable dairy sourcing efforts
Manure management, getting methane under control and seaweed feeds are among its climate-smart initiatives
Tesla enters the candy market
He’s disrupted the car, space and social media sectors, is Elon Musk now coming for the confectionery industry?
Five ways robotics tech is revolutionising confectionery
How Hershey, Nestle, Mars and Nutresa México are ramping up and re-imagining their production using robots
What the Mondelēz investment in Pakistan tells us about export opportunities in the region
With the candy major scaling production to boost sales in Pakistan and neighbouring countries, is there growth potential for other manufacturers alongside them?
News
Cadbury descendent opens first store with new chocolate brand
James Cadbury-owned brand Love Cocoa has opened his first bricks and mortar store in central London.
Smart technology
Five ways AI is transforming the confectionery sector
With AI at the helm, the confectionery industry is entering a new era of innovation and efficiency, transforming everything from product creation to personalized marketing strategies. Here's how
Chasing China: Ferrero says freshness and flavours key to ensure lasting power for chocolate brands
Chocolate giant Ferrero believes that freshness and flavour variety are key factors for chocolate brands to ensure lasting power in the China market, with product innovations needing to be both diverse and unique.
The top 4 premium trends in confectionery in 2024
Luxury, artisanal and quality collections are drawing in shoppers with a love for elevated indulgence and premiumisation. Here's what's disrupting the market
How Hershey became one of the world’s most ethical companies
Employing veterans, building schools and slashing packaging and emissions are just some of the ways the chocolate firm has earned its ESG credentials
Sweet and healthy? Discover the top five functional foods in confectionery
Adding probiotics, protein and fibre and removing sugar and animal ingredients mean 2024 is set to be the year of better-for-you confectionery. Here are the functional features disrupting the industry
How can luxury food brands succeed?
While luxury brands in beverage have been highly successful, luxury food brands are, as of yet, less prominent. What foods have the potential to be luxurious?
Sustainability
Ferrero reports solid progress towards sustainability targets
Ferrero said the release of its 15th Sustainability Report demonstrates considerable progress across its key sustainability pillars: protecting the Environment, Sourcing Ingredients Responsibly, Promoting Responsible Consumption, and Empowering People.
Sweets & Snacks Expo
Mars-Wrigley appeals to Gen Z through product innovation, including gummies and peanut butter
Gen Z consumers prefer new snacking experiences "that are talking to them in an authentic way," Mike Gilroy, the Mars-Wrigley’s VP of trade development and sponsorship, told FoodNavigator-USA at the Sweets & Snacks Expo earlier this month.
Mondelēz International fined by EU for anticompetitive practices
Mondelēz International has been found guilty by the EU of anticompetitive practices and given a fine. What was Mondelēz found to have done, and how did it damage competition?
Sustainability
Cocoa investors request major chocolate companies pay farmers more
An investor letter issued earlier this month by non-profit Investor Advocates for Social Justice (IASJ) has called out international chocolate companies to end what it described as “exploitative purchasing practices,” mainly in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
Haribo and Lidl unite once more
Are the two leaders, one in the global sweets space and one in the budget supermarket arena, back for good?
Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024
Hershey pioneers new innovation in retail AR at 2024 Sweets & Snacks Expo
Hershey arrived in Indianapolis for this year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo with a raft of new products – and latest innovations in augmented reality (AR) as part of its retail capabilities and merchandising strategies.
Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024
Chocolate brands cash in on America’s largest candy and snack trade show
The 2024 Sweets & Snacks Expo became a launch pad for companies looking to crack the US confectionery market with new products from Colombia’s Vivamor, Canada’s Lovo Chocolate, along with reboots of classic brand Godiva and a new partnership deal for...
The top five sustainability trends in confectionery
As consumers’ ethical values become ever more baked into their confectionery choices, from Hershey to Mondelez and Nestle, we explore the ways brands are pivoting to more sustainable practises
Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024
Sweets & Snacks Expo launches with ‘Oscars of the candy world’
This year’s Sweets & Snacks Expo opened its four-day stay in Indianapolis with a ceremony for the 2024 Most Innovative New Product Awards winners, which recognise excellence across 13 categories.
Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024
Endangered Species Chocolate threatens to disrupt Sweets & Snacks Expo with innovative new treat
Endangered Species Chocolate (ESC) is set to captivate the snacking world by unveiling Dip 'n Joy - a one-of-a-kind, interactive chocolate experience at the Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024 in Indianapolis.
Mondelēz is hungry for snacks innovation: What’s its VC arm looking for?
When Mondelēz International searches externally for savoury snack and confectionery innovation, what kinds of start-ups is it looking for?
Finanical results
Hershey records profit rise in Q1 as domestic market holds steady
The Hershey company reported an uptick in sales, income, and earnings per share when it announced net sales and earnings for the first quarter ended 31 March, 2024.
Financial results
Mondelēz maintains positive outlook for 2024 on back of strong Q1
Mondelēz International has maintained the company expects Organic Net Revenue growth of 3% to 5% in its 2024 Outlook after the Cadbury parent beat market expectations for first-quarter sales and profit.
Marketing
Tony’s Chocolonely partners with Oxfam and Glastonbury for free tickets giveaway
Dutch disruptor brand Tony’s Chocolonely is partnering with Oxfam and Glastonbury for a second year to raise money to fight poverty by launching limited edition bars that offer fans the opportunity to win tickets to the legendary arts and music festival.
Marketing
Aero temps sharers with new campaign
Nestlé’s Aero has launched a new ‘ShAero’ marketing campaign in the UK and Ireland, with an on-pack promotion that will see more than 33,000 sharing bars of Aero Peppermint up for grabs.
Sustainability
‘Chocolate bonus’ for cocoa farmers helps with living income struggle
Belgian chocolate brand Belcolade says it is aiming to empower and provide a living income for 50,000 cocoa farmers by 2030 and has introduced a ‘chocolate bonus’.
Appointments
Mars Snacking appoints Gabriel Fernandez as new GEM president
Mars Snacking has announced Gabriel Fernandez's appointment as its new president for Global Emerging Markets (GEM).
News
British rock candy faces extinction
Ten Blackpool-based confectionery manufacturers have come together to urge UK Government to grant rock origin protection status after ‘cheap, imitation imports’ place their businesses at risk.
Nassau Candy introduces more bulk candies, expands into dextrose market
Nassau Candy’s positioning in confectionery as an importer, manufacturer and distributor allows the company flexibility to focus on innovation and its customers’ needs by filling in the gaps from discontinued but in-demand products, Dana Rodio, director,...
Daniel Servitje steps down as CEO of Grupo Bimbo
After more than four decades with his family-owned business, Daniel Javier Servijte Montull is passing on the CEO baton, having built up an impressive legacy: Bimbo today is 8x larger than when he became CEO in 1997, has completed 93 acquisitions and...
Mondelēz International under investigation: What is parallel trade?
In 2021, the European Union opened up a formal investigation into Mondelēz International for allegedly restricting parallel trade. What is parallel trade? And how can it harm competition?
Company news
Nestlé rejects resolution to scale back on ‘unhealthy’ products
Nestlé shareholders rejected a resolution at its annual general meeting (AGM) on Thursday (19 April) demanding the KitKat maker reduce its reliance on unhealthy products.
Retail
Cocoa Canopy’s full hot chocolate range to be listed on Ocado
Online grocery store Ocado has announced it is to stock the entire Cocoa Canopy range of drinking chocolate from May.
Sustainability
Hames Chocolates installs solar panels as part of green initiatives
UK private-label chocolate supplier Hames Chocolates has announced it has invested in new solar panels designed to boost energy efficiency while reducing carbon emissions.
Appointments
Fudge Kitchen appoints Richard Parson as new MD
UK artisanal confectionery brand has announced it has appointed Richard Parson as its new managing director after founder and previous MD Siân Holt stepped down last year due to illness.
Natural Products Expo West
Mondelez: As snacking becomes more ‘purposeful' portion control becomes key
Nearly nine out of 10 consumers snack daily to fuel their busy days, carve out a mindful moment of ‘me time,’ and connect with family and friends – but according to Mondelez International’s recently released 5th State of Snacking report, what they are...