Sustainability

Vegan brand Ombar is now  B-Corp certified. Pic: Ombar

Certification

Ombar joins Global B-Corp community

By Anthony Myers

Vegan chocolate challenger brand Ombar has become the latest company in the UK to obtain its B Corporation certification.

The trading community has encouraged the growth of cocoa production, the ECA Forum was told. Pic: CN

ECA Cocoa Forum 2022

Where’s the pay-off for price stability in cocoa?

By Anthony Myers

The ECA’s Cocoa Forum 2022 looked at the supply & demand functionality in the industry regarding the right package of policy actions in a fluctuating market.

This year’s Forum focused on traceability as a key enabler for sustainability in cocoa. Pic: CN

ECA Forum 2022

Cocoa and chocolate companies agree to share farmer data

By Anthony Myers

Cocoa and chocolate companies have announced greater cooperation and a willingness willing to share their cocoa farmer data with Ivorian and Ghanaian authorities to further traceability.

Cocoa farmers and their communities benefit from the promotion of sustainable beans. Pic: Barry Callebaut

Sustainability

Barry Callebaut increases Cocoa Horizons in Nigeria

By Anthony Myers

Barry Callebaut has announced it is extending its Cocoa Horizons programme in Nigeria, pledging to pay an additional amount of 26 million Naira ($40,841) in premiums for deliveries of sustainable cocoa beans in the 2021-2022 season.

Farmers cracking cocoa pods, Ghana. Pic: MIA

Op-ed

Reality check: What can we do about cocoa’s price?

By Brett Beach & Dr Kristy Leissle

In this exclusive op-ed for ConfectioneryNews by Brett Beach, Co-founder of sustainable chocolate brand Made in Africa (MIA), and Dr Kristy Leissle, a member of CN’s editorial board and the author of numerous books and articles on cocoa and industry politics,...

Luker Chocolate's new caramel 'Sensación'. Pic: Luker Choclate

NPD

Luker Chocolate creates new caramel ‘Sensación’

By Anthony Myers

Colombian B4B chocolate manufacturer Luker Chocolate is hitting the caramel flavour with a new chocolate couverture, crafted at origin, using the company’s signature Cacao Fino de Aroma and incorporating its sustainability practices.

Cadmium is a problem for cocoa farmers mainly in Central and South America. Pic: Republica del Cacao

Special report

How to reduce cadmium in cocoa

By Anthony Myers

The result of a three-year study by a multi-disciplinary panel of four experts into the sources of lead and cadmium in cocoa and chocolate - and how levels may be reduced in the future - has been published by the National Confectioners Association (NCA)...

Mars is mobilising partners in a coral reef restoration project / Pic: GettyImages-Tobiasjo

Mars talks ‘mission critical’ coral reef restoration

By Katy Askew

Coral reefs are degrading at an alarming rate – threatening the health of our oceans and the ecosystems that support sea life. Confectionery-to-pet food manufacturer Mars is working to turn the tide. FoodNavigator catches up with the company’s chief marine...

Are Swiss consumers aware of and concerned about palm oil? GettyImages/ic36006

What do Swiss consumers think of palm oil?

By Flora Southey

Fresh research has investigated consumer perceptions of palm oil in Switzerland and whether they are familiar with the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) label.

Chocolate dream: A new initiative from HAPPi and Luker Chocolate aims to nurture children in sustainable cocoa practices. Pic: Luker Chocolate

Sustainability

HAPPi invests in future cocoa change-makers with Luker Chocolate

By Anthony Myers

Oat m!lk chocolate brand, HAPPi, is teaming up with Luker Chocolate to create Kids for Nature, an exciting new project that aims to protect the remarkable wildlife of Colombia by educating the next generation to become guardians of their ecosystem.

ofi is shooting to achieve Bee Friendly certification across 100% of its almond orchards. Pic: GettyImages/maexico

ofi sets new benchmark for the almond industry

By Gill Hyslop

The nut arm of global ingredients specialist has announced its first sustainability targets for its 50,000 acres of almond orchards and farming operations in Australia, the US and Vietnam.

Most of the cacao produced in Colombia is consumed internally, and a small portion is exported. Pic: Cacao for Peace

Sustainability

Focus on Cordillera Chocolates and Colombia’s Cacao for Peace initiative

By Anthony Myers

Colombia’s Cordillera Chocolates is a world pioneer in cocoa development. Established almost 60 years ago it has been training cocoa growers in various areas of agricultural practices, sustainability issues, disease control and productivity – and the...

This years Chocovision becomes part of the ECA's Cocoa Forum. Pic: Chocovision

Regulation

ECA announces programme for its Rome Cocoa Forum

By Anthony Myers

The European Cocoa Association (ECA) has released details of the programme and speakers for its European Cocoa Forum, which takes place from 13 to 15 September 2022 in Rome.

Tony's Chocolonely's new 'Independent Bars'. Pic: Tony’s Chocolonely

World Chocolate Day

Tony’s Chocolonely marks World Chocolate Day with new Independent Bars

By Anthony Myers

Ahead of World Chocolate Day on Thursday 7 July, Dutch ethical brand Tony’s Chocolonely has added two new ‘Independent Bars’ with new flavours to its range, in support of independent and non-grocery stores, as well as reminding consumers of the true price...

The EU is set introduce legislation on deforestation and corporate sustainability due diligence. Pic: EU

sustainability

EU and West African cocoa sector endorse new Alliance on Sustainable Cocoa

By Anthony Myers

At the end of the recent ‘Cocoa Talks’, between EU, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, and the cocoa sector, parties jointly endorsed an ‘Alliance on Sustainable Cocoa’, an ambitious roadmap to improve the economic, social and environmental sustainability of cocoa...

Jack Steijn (centre), Director & Co-founder of Equipoise and Chocoa, sits in on one of the hybrid sessions from the conference. Pic: CN

Chocoa 2022

Hybrid Chocoa 2022 stays on message

By Anthony Myers

The Chocoa Conference returned to Amsterdam earlier this month with a live-virtual hybrid get-together of important stakeholders from the cocoa sector.