Popular right now: Our top five confectionery and chocolate stories on social media

In the week, we quietly launched the Confectionery News Instagram page​, here are some of the articles that are attracting likes and shares on other channels.

1. Chocolate companies drive growth for global hazelnut market​​

Attracting most heat on social media is Dougla Yu’s story on how the global hazelnut market is expected to reach $9.45bn in sales by 2026 with the chocolate category being a major driver behind its growth, according to new research.

By all accounts, it is the demand for more healthy ingredients in chocolate that is the primary cause for higher consumer demand and manufactures are reintroducing their signature products with hazelnut-incorporated ingredients.

2. Cadbury to launch dark milk chocolate bars in the UK​​

Cadbury announced it is the first of the big companies to add a standard dark milk option to its range.

Known for its Dairy Milk bar, the UK-based company will introduce a ‘original’ plain flavor and a roasted almond one as it follows innovative and artisan brands such as Montezuma’s and Divine, which recently introduced 54% and 45% cocoa variants, respectively.

3. Nestlé claims Australia’s Modern Slavery Bill is flawed and will cost customers in the end​​

Proposed law is ‘sensible’, but absence of penalties is counterproductive, says Swiss chocolate giantNestlé informed Australia’s legislators that the Bill will "go significantly beyond those of the UK Act​", which it claims only encourages businesses to report against similar criteria.

4. The Great Ferrero Christmas Launch 2018 - video​​

In the first of our 'Sweetspot' video series, we look at the launch of Ferrero's Christmas range ... and how the company lived up to its reputation for putting on a good 'reception'!

5. Mars Wrigley and Hershey release new candies for Halloween 2018​​

Halloween will soon be upon us, so no surprises that Mars Wrigley and Hershey’s announcement of their new candy range for this year’s event attracted many hits across our social media channels.

Euromonitor said it predicted the total US seasonal chocolate revenue will reach $3.06bn in 2018, increasing by 3.3% year-over-year. The expected sales also represent a total 17.9% growth from $2.6bn in 2013.

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