Three new sustainability initiatives transforming the cocoa and sugar sectors
Are brands and organisations sweetening their climate conscious efforts to win over concerned consumers?
Cocoa
Mondelēz International’s share earnings cut as cocoa costs predicted to rise
Hope for a cocoa price slump is dwindling as commodity analysts predict a price-boosting run on the brown stuff.
Does new study pave the way for cocoa’s future as a functional food?
Researchers have found that cocoa flavanols can counteract the adverse effects of high-fat meals and stress
Is public-private sector collaboration vital to EUDR success?
Sustainable trade body urges industry-wide collaboration is key to unlocking the EUDR’s trove of environmental and economic mobility benefits.
Farmers building climate resilience face $151 billion financing gap
Agriculture service provider One Acre Fund estimates smallholder farmers need this multi-billion sum to develop long-term resilience for themselves and the environment during the climate crisis.
‘Modern-day Willy Wonka’ presses ahead with sustainable cacao
Global chocolate company makes multi-million investment in upcycled cacao brand that produces chocolate using parts of the fruit that are typically thrown away.
Pursuing critical sustainable food production at COP16
How one Colombian chocolate ingredient company is backing purpose-driven chocolate and conversations at the 2024 United Nations event.
Cracking cocoa-free chocolate consumption wide open
As one industry leader opens a new large-scale purpose-built manufacturing plant, is cocoa-free chocolate on an upward trajectory?
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.
Farmers’ short end of the supply chain deal is not over
This Fairtrade Month, cocoa workers and farmers experience an ongoing lack of resources, which the organisation predicts will cause ongoing challenges for years to come.
Pricing fears grow ahead of Halloween
Cocoa and sugar prices are reported to have reached frightening highs, with alarming price rallies predicted.
CAOBISCO calls for urgent EUDR update, the EC responds
Days after Europe’s chocolate, biscuit and confectionery organisation asks for immediate guidance on the upcoming European Union’s Deforestation Regulation, the European Commission releases its proposal to push back its implementation date.
Top need-to-knows about cocoa ahead of the new season
A round-up of the cocoa sector as we move into the 2024/2025 season.
Côte d’Ivoire raises cocoa prices above Ghana
Côte d’Ivoire, the world’s leading cocoa producer, has raised the price it pays farmers for cocoa.
EU Commission proposes EUDR implementation delay
The EU Commission has proposed a 12-month extension for the phasing-in of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The move follows warnings of trade chaos from stakeholders and governments.
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.
New approach puts farmers at the center of crop testing
Discover how an innovative approach to assessing new crop varieties is transforming farming practices and boosting food security
EUDR
Can cocoa become fully traceable ahead of the EUDR?
Find out how global traceability systems are gathering pace as the new law’s impending deadline moves closer
Mondelēz hints cocoa cost positivity as it hikes product prices
Mondelēz International bosses have cautiously signalled further cocoa pricing stability while at the same time the sweets and snacks giant prepares to push higher prices across its products.
Regulation
What EUDR preparations or pauses are underway?
As the EUDR deadline gets closer, here’s how the globe is responding
Hershey says it’s not satisfied with efforts to support cocoa farmers
As the CPG reports on its income accelerator program, we dive into the detail of its initiative.
Can a cacao gene atlas help solve the cocoa crisis?
Mapping the genome of every cacao tree on the planet is the first step to developing elite high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties say researchers
How Nestlé increased cocoa yields by 32%
Discover how Nestlé's secret weapon is transforming cocoa farming, with an innovative approach to incentivising sustainable practices
New study confirms concerning heavy metal contamination in cocoa
Out of 72 cocoa items tested, 43% exceeded the maximum allowable dose level for lead, and 35% exceeded the level for cadmium. So what does this mean for beleaguered chocolate and cocoa producers?
Cocoa crisis: Ghana’s output almost halves
With rampant disease decimating the world’s second biggest supplier of cocoa, we present the latest on prices and production
Why cocoa farmers don’t earn a living income
Most cocoa farmers don’t earn a living income. Why not? And should they all?
How Nestlé is making its cocoa more traceable
Nestlé is striving to make its cocoa traceable right back to the farm. Can the multinational give consumers confidence they’re eating sustainable cocoa?
What can producers learn from Barry Callebaut’s €700 million funding?
Rising cocoa prices have spurred the global chocolatier to seek investment. But what does it mean for everyone else?
How manufacturers can survive the cocoa crisis
Soaring costs and a dwindling supply of cocoa mean innovation and creativity are essential for chocolatiers who hope to weather the supply storm
How commodity exchanges influence food prices, and why farmers don’t always benefit from price hikes
Commodity exchanges influence prices of key foods and ingredients on all levels of the supply chain. But how close is the link between the commodity exchange, and the commodity itself?
Indirect cocoa supply chain challenges the effectiveness of EUDR
A new report sheds light on the urgent need to address critical environmental, poverty and child labour issues in cocoa, particularly those in indirect supply chains
Sustainability
Barry Callebaut maps out phase two of Cocoa & Forests Initiative (CFI) plan
Barry Callebaut, which describes itself as the ‘heart and engine of the chocolate industry,’ has claimed notable advances in sustainable cocoa farming and deforestation prevention in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana.
Commodities
Volatile Cocoa prices see a surge in panic buying by chocolate industry
The extraordinary price rallies recorded in the cocoa futures markets have been accompanied by increasing volatility, with reports of panic buying in the US market.
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.
Special report
Is there a business case for a fully transparent cocoa supply chain?
The latest CN webinar on sustainable cocoa supply chains asked the question: should the industry adopt a more responsible approach to procurement when sourcing cocoa beans and other ingredients?
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.
Can the whole cocoa pod be utilised when making chocolate?
By developing a chocolate bar using not only the cocoa bean but the pulp and endocarp as well, a new study aims to create a more sustainable form of chocolate.
Sustainabilty
Fairtrade helps more West African cocoa farmers with specialist training
Fairtrade International claims that more cocoa farmers are benefiting from training in key environmental sustainability areas.
Sweets & Snacks Expo 2024
Blommer Chocolate Company and Incredo target Canada with less sugar options
Blommer Chocolate Company, the largest cocoa processor and ingredient chocolate supplier in North America, has announced it is extending its partnership with sugar reduction company Incredo.
Sustainability
Luker Chocolate on course to impact 1,500 farmers by 2027
Luker Chocolate, the premium Colombian Business-for-Business (B4B) chocolate manufacturer, has revealed significant progress towards Its 2027 sustainability targets, including increasing income for farmers, social wellbeing, and deforestation-free cocoa.
Sustainability
US chocolate for good: companies launch impact programme for female cocoa farmers in Ghana
A new impact investment partnership, ‘Women for Chocolate,’ has launched in Ghana to ensure the success of women cocoa farmers.
Commodities
Cocoa prices 'bearish' after slump, with traders relying on algorithms to predict futures
After a topsy-turvy week, world cocoa prices recovered on Tuesday after registering losses of more than 20% the prior week, but the market is still struggling with a lull in trading.
Sustainability
Ofi Cocoa partners with USAID to deliver enhanced supply chain transparency
Major cocoa supplier ofi (olam food ingredients), has claimed recent developments in data and technology are behind its progress towards creating a more sustainable supply chain.
Regulation
Brussels, do we have a problem with the EUDR?
‘Beleaguered’ is perhaps too strong an adjective to describe the forthcoming European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), but when the bloc’s Director General for Trade goes on record as describing its current state as "extremely burdensome," then...
Sustainability
Civil societies welcome EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive
The proposed EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) seeks to introduce legal obligations for large corporations to conduct human rights and environmental due diligence in their global supply chains.
When will the price of cocoa come down?
As cocoa prices continue to soar, we ask the question on every chocolate maker’s lips.
Sustainability
Barry Callebaut implements new cocoa farming initiative to improve sustainability
Barry Callebaut, the world’s largest chocolate supplier, has launched the Future Farming Initiative (FFI) to build a high-tech and sustainable cocoa farming business under the leadership of Steven Retzlaff.
Commodities
Uplift in Germany’s cocoa grindings – but rest of Europe struggles for beans
Cocoa grinding in Germany remained positive in the first quarter of 2024, the Association of the German Confectionery Industry (BDSI) reported, but the rest of Europe remains sluggish.
Chocolate
First Fairmade maker collaboration to showcase at UK show
The new Fairmade label has announced a collaboration at the Farm Shop & Deli show in Birmingham, England, to highlight a more equal business model for African products.
CN Webinar
Free webinar: Is there a crisis in cocoa supply chains?
With the new European Union Deforestation Regulation on the horizon, should the industry adopt a more responsible approach to procurement when sourcing cocoa beans and other ingredients? Sign up for our free webinar to discuss!