Blogs
Major report on reducing sugar in ranges poses ongoing industry challenge
This past week has seen the release of Public Health England’s (PHE) assessment of how its much-publicised drive to reduce sugar intake by 20% within food categories including confectionery has performed, and the results have been far from what was anticipated.
Dawn of the Living Income Differential’s potential major impact on West African cocoa farming
This past week has seen the key start of the latest cocoa season within West Africa, which sees the introduction of the Living Income Differential put forward by the governments of the Ivory Coast and Ghana to support farmers wages. In a guest blog, Kojo Hayford, managing editor of Ghana’s Cocoa Post, reflects on its potential impact.
Crucial season lies ahead for manufacturers and confectionery retailers
The next few months are likely to prove extremely critical for both manufacturers of confectionery, snacks and bakery ranges, as well as the retailers they serve around the world.
Major confectionery businesses continue to make key investments despite pandemic tests
Amid a notably turbulent year for global markets, Cargill has made a major announcement this week for expanding its innovation facilities at its key European site in Mouscron, Belgium (pictured), which is set to have a sizeable impact for the business.
Halloween is still happening, says US confectionery sector
One of the key issues to emerge over the past week has been that of plans for celebrating Halloween, particularly in the US, which remains one of the most significant dates in the confectionery calendar.
Business confidence hangs in the balance as final countdown over Brexit trade deal continues
This past week, the UK’s Food and Drink Federation and Santander UK laid out the latest situation for the sector in terms of its performance, which brought cause for concern with a record low level of confidence for the quarter, that both organisations hoped would be offset with potential for exploring new markets around the world.
Hope is on the horizon with major seasonal confectionery launches ahead
While we are still in August of what has proved a particularly testing year, confectionery manufacturers are already fixing their gaze on the vital Christmas market.
The demise of Public Health England leaves key sugar reduction targets in limbo
Why might the demise of PHE be significant to the confectionery sector? Well, the most glaring reason is the much publicised campaign that sought to drive sugar reduction within the confectionery and wider food and drink sector in 2017 is now effectively dead in the water.
Marathon bars make unexpected return to the British confectionery scene
As a child of the 1980s, one of my favourite confectionery brands was the much-celebrated Marathon chocolate bars here in the UK – so when its manufacturer Mars brought the brand name back after 30 years (from switching to its US name Snickers), for a limited summer run in 2019, it was met with much approval.
Industry doubts whether banning television advertising on treats will impact on reducing obesity
This week has again brought a renewed spotlight on the major issue of obesity, which has been characterised as having reached crisis levels within the UK, with two thirds of UK adults considered as being overweight, according to Public Health England.
Time is not on our side for delivering tangible change for cocoa sustainability in Ghana and Ivory Coast
Building on last week’s news of events within the cocoa sector, sustainability is once again making major headlines with regard to a landmark new declaration relating to key markets in Ghana and Ivory Coast.
Digital payments for Ghana’s cocoa growing communities could prove vital to the sector
A report authored by the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) and the UN-based Better Than Cash Alliance has highlighted a core issue of only 10% of payments being made digitally for farmers in Ghana’s cocoa sector – despite the fact that 90% of farmers now own mobile phones, according to latest research.
Marking some sweet celebrations for World Chocolate Day
It seems these days, there’s an international day for everything – and confectionery isn’t to be outdone with 7 July being that very occasion, marking World Chocolate Day.
Manufacturing and engineering will need major support amid economic challenges
The emergence of a study commissioned by industry organisation Make UK and the Santander Banking group revealing that the British manufacturing sector may not recover until 2022 has made for sobering reading.