Chocolate and confectionery ingredients

'I think cacao water is the new coconut water': Blue Stripes sees mainstream future for cacao fruit

27-Jun-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Blue Stripes has recently unleashed a broad line of cacao-based products made from underutilized and wasted parts of the cacao fruit to Whole Foods stores nationwide and will be launching its star product -- cacao water -- next month, which founder Oded...

Grindings

Slight climb in cocoa prices as chocolate production slows

27-Jun-2022 By Anthony Myers

Cocoa prices rallied in the week ending 24 June, after the Cote d’Ivoire government reported that cocoa farmers sent a cumulative 2.24 MMT of cocoa to its ports from 1 October 1 to 19 June, down -1.8% y/y.

Nude Mints aims to revamp mints category with a more effective and modern breath freshening solution

23-Jun-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Nude Mints wants to modernize the mints category, which co-founder Sean Davis believes is outdated and lacking innovation, by launching breath mints using a new multi-layer capsule technology that promises a deeper and extended breath freshening experience...

Mars unveils ‘earth-friendly’ animal-free dairy chocolate brand CO2COA: ‘We believe there is a sizable consumer opportunity in this space’

16-Jun-2022 By Elaine Watson

Mars is dipping its toes into the emerging animal-free dairy space with the launch of a lactose-free milk chocolate brand called CO2COA featuring Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa and Perfect Day’s non-animal whey protein, which is made by genetically...

Mondelēz International CEO sees more growth and acceleration for snacking portfolio amid inflation

15-Jun-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Mondelēz International has generated consistent growth across its portfolio of biscuits, chocolate, cakes, and pastries, and will keep its focus on these categories as the company navigates current economic volatility, says Mondelēz International CEO...

Production

Ferrero invests in new Bloomington plant to produce Kinder Bueno for US market

15-Jun-2022 By Anthony Myers

Ferrero North America has announced plans to invest up to $214.4m to expand its chocolate processing and product manufacturing plant in Bloomington, Illinois.

Barry Callebaut expands chocolate distribution in Latin America: 'This is just the beginning of our expansion'

10-Jun-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Chocolate supplier Barry Callebaut has signed a long-term agreement with Colombian food ingredient supplier Levapan to expand its distribution to key parts of Latin America.

Hershey replaces milk solids with roasted grain flour for improved dairy-free chocolate

07-Jun-2022 By Flora Southey

The Hershey Company has filed a patent application covering the substitution of dairy solids with roasted grain flour, which it says yields ‘improved organoleptic and rheological properties’ over known dairy-free chocolates.

Barry Callebaut: Mindful indulgence fuels next wave of chocolate consumption

06-Jun-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Consumers are taking a more mindful approach when it comes to chocolate consumption by balancing their cravings for indulgence with a growing interest in various better-for-you attributes whether it be health related or environmental, says global chocolate...

Good Good closes $20m Series B funding round to fuel next chapter of growth

16-May-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Good Good, an Icelandic breakfast brand of no-sugar-added products, has closed a $20m Series B funding round which will help support new low-sugar product innovation and future US product distribution.

Cacao-free ‘alt choc’ mimics the real thing, with 80% fewer CO2 emissions

11-May-2022 By Flora Southey

UK start-up WNWN Food Labs is launching what it claims to be the ‘world’s first’ cacao-free chocolate. Made from two ‘hero ingredients’ – barley and carob – we ask co-founders Arhum Pak and Dr Johnny Drain what makes their product better than the real...

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: Climate Neutral helps brands calculate, offset emissions & tell sustainability story

09-May-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

More consumers are factoring sustainability into their purchase decisions, according to data from NielsenIQ, but effectively and efficiently communicating a product’s environmental impact in less than the 10 seconds most shoppers spend deciding what to...

NEWS IN BRIEF

Voyage Foods lands $36m Series A funding, first product launch planned for Q2 2022

05-May-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Oakland, California-based food tech company Voyage Foods has raised $36m in a Series A funding as it prepares to launch its first product in Q2 2022.

Mars exec talks innovation: 'We're at a fascinating moment, where we will be creating the next relevant portfolio for consumers'

05-May-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

As a 100+-year-old company of some of the most well-known CPG brands, Mars Inc. sees innovation as the driving force behind the company's next chapter of growth and the key to maintaining consumer relevancy.

Manufacturing

Barry Callebaut to scale up its North American production with new factory in Ontario

03-May-2022 By Anthony Myers

The Barry Callebaut Group has announced plans to expand its North American presence by building a new specialty chocolate factory in Ontario, Canada.

Can Hershey hold on to share gains as capacity constrains bump against increased demand?

29-Apr-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

Hershey’s higher-than-expected sales and market share gains in the first quarter is a double-edged sword for the confection and snack company – allowing it to raise its full year guidance but simultaneously straining inventory and increasing the company’s...

Keto in focus, part six: ‘The second coming’ of keto – low-sugar, high-protein launches bet big on the diet

28-Apr-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

Undeterred by a drop in Internet searches in North America for ‘keto’ and ‘ketogenic’ that might suggest declining interest in the high-fat, moderate-protein and ultra-low-carb diet, many packaged food manufacturers appear to be doubling down on the claim...

Mondelez, PepsiCo profits hit as Russia invasion of Ukraine hinders production, sales

27-Apr-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine is taking a toll on major CPG companies, including PepisCo and Mondelez, both of which reported a hit to annual profits yesterday due to restricted production and sales in the countries and surrounding area as well...

Impulse purchases evolve to meet new consumer demands, shopping habits post COVID

27-Apr-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

After taking a hit early in the pandemic, sales of impulse purchases are beginning to rebound – but they look different now than before the outbreak as brands and retailers redefine the category to better align with consumer needs and lifestyles reshaped...

Keto in focus part three: Catalina Snacks CEO... 'The majority of our audience just want to eat less sugar and fewer carbs'

19-Apr-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Fast-growing keto snacks company Catalina Snacks is proving that 'keto' is no longer reserved for the low-carb, moderate protein diet's devotees but has a broader consumer scope and appeal.

Misfits Market launches private label line: 'It's clear shoppers are looking for new ways to save'

14-Apr-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Direct-to-consumer online grocer Misfits Market has launched its own private label offering of 'Odds & Ends' pantry staples specifically designed to address certain supply chain inefficiencies around sourcing, food waste, and elevated pricing,...

Larger Easter and Passover celebrations boost confection sales despite higher prices

12-Apr-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

After forgoing large Passover and Easter celebrations for the past two years, Americans are eager to gather with friends and family beyond their households – driving up projected unit sales of confections and groceries despite higher prices, according...

Mars Wrigley invests $175m in facility expansion to ramp up candy bar production

11-Apr-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Mars Wrigley is investing $175m into expanding its Topeka, Kansas, facility where the company produces its M&M's Peanut, Twix, Snickers, Milky Way and 3 Musketeers product lines.

KeHE ‘golden ticket’ winners reveal hot trends retailers and consumers want

06-Apr-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

In a highly competitive industry in which 80-85% of new products fail in the first two years, natural grocery distributor KeHE consistently picks winners and fosters growth among emerging brands thanks to several key initiatives, including its TrendFinder...

Do current advertising rules for children’s products go far enough to protect their health?

05-Apr-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

Recently strengthened self-regulatory efforts to curb marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children still do not go far enough to “meaningfully protect” children, argue public health advocates after new analysis reveals “loopholes” in the Children’s...

Retail

US chocolate and candy sector in good health as sales soar over 11% in 2021

15-Mar-2022 By Anthony Myers

American candy and chocolate consumers are increasingly focused on seasonal celebrations, sharing and gifting, along with their emotional wellbeing, according to the NCA’s third annual State of Treating report.

DoorDash launches accelerator program for early-stage startups and local entrepreneurs

14-Mar-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Third-party meal delivery service DoorDash is debuting its DoorDash Accelerator for Local Goods, a program designed to support local packaged food brands owned by women, BIPOC, immigrant, and transgender entrepreneurs.

Sales growth of natural, organic products continues to drop but holds long-term promise

14-Mar-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

The drop in US sales growth of natural and organic products following the 10% pantry-stocking surge early in the pandemic will linger well into 2023 – dropping to less than 4% before starting to climb again slowly to about 5% in 2024, according to analysis...

Financial results

Lindt suspends its operations in Russia, remains confident on growth

10-Mar-2022 By Anthony Myers

Swiss confectionery brand Lindt & Sprüngli has announced it is closing its retail outlets and suspending deliveries to Russia following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

Coca-Cola withdraws business from Russia while other companies remain

09-Mar-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Coca-Cola is the latest major global food and beverage giant to suspend operations in Russia as an act of protest against the Russian invasion and continued attack on Ukraine and follows similar announcements made by PepsiCo, Starbucks, and McDonald's....

Dream Pops rolls out confectionery lineup: 'We are trying to prove that we are more than just an ice cream brand'

09-Mar-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Dream Pops is rolling out its latest plant-based indulgent extensions into the shelf-stable confectionery and sweetened syrups categories, which CEO and co-founder David Greenfeld says will challenge the likes of industry incumbents Hershey, Ferrero,...

Dovetailing Russian invasion & US drought could threaten wheat supplies, raise prices

03-Mar-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

Buyers of US wheat and other grain commodities could find themselves in a “Katy bar the door” moment if growing conditions in the Midwest don’t improve and if buyers who typically source from Russia and Ukraine are forced by the escalating war to find...

Belgian Boys secures $7m in funding led by KIND Snacks founder's investment platform

01-Mar-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Belgian Boys, a fast-growing brand selling European-inspired treats and fresh breakfast items, has received $7m in funding led by Equilibra Ventures, a startup and investment platform from KIND Snacks founder Daniel Lubetzky, to expand the brand's...

UN demands more diverse food production methods as report warns climate change risks are greater than thought

01-Mar-2022 By Oliver Morrison

Nearly a third of the world's crop fields will be unsuitable for food production by the end of this century unless carbon emissions are curbed, warns the latest instalment of the IPCC climate change report.

Food and beverage companies suspend operations in Ukraine

28-Feb-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Several international food and beverage companies have temporarily shut down operations in Ukraine following Russia's invasion to ensure the safety of employees while bracing for the long-term economic impact that skyrocketing commodity prices and...

Soup-To-Nuts podcast: Mondelēz reveals pandemic’s long-term impact on snacking trends

21-Feb-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

Nearly nine in ten consumers snack daily, but according to new research from Mondelēz International, what they reach for and when has evolved significantly during the pandemic – requiring brands to rethink their product offerings, marketing strategies...

Behind Nestlé’s CHF1.3bn drive to bridge the living income gap in cocoa

11-Feb-2022 By Katy Askew

Nestlé has launched an initiative that promises to help bridge the living income gap for cocoa farmers in its supply chain. With a focus on productivity, resilience, diversification and access to education the company is more than tripling its current...

Godiva: Self-care, pandemic-strain fuel surge in Valentine’s Day chocolate sales as licensing deals reinforce year-long demand

10-Feb-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

Historically people have celebrated Valentine’s Day by sharing sweets with others they love, but the pandemic-fueled rise of ‘self-care’ means more people also will treat themselves this year – helping push confection sales leading up to the holiday beyond...

Tru Fru plans to cover one billion pieces of fruit in chocolate in 2022

03-Feb-2022 By Asia Sherman

Sweet treat innovator Tru Fru has increased production capacity by 400% and set big goals for the coming year.

Taza Chocolate celebrates milestone, shines light on industry

02-Feb-2022 By Asia Sherman

Taza Chocolate is celebrating the release of one million pounds of finished goods and its best year since it set out in 2005 to make “stone ground chocolate that is seriously good and fair for all."

News In Brief

Sweegen takes the pole position in race to commercialize sweetener brazzein with launch of Ultratia

01-Feb-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

In the race to bring the high intensity sweetener brazzein to market at commercial scale, taste solution provider Sweegen is claiming first place today with the launch of Ultratia, which the company says is a key tool in improving the health profile of...

Mondelez reactivates ‘COVID playbook,’ warns of ‘waves’ of price hikes to manage inventory, offset inflation

28-Jan-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

Oreo-maker Mondelez warns the start of 2022 will be marred by lingering low inventory levels due to a now-resolved strike late last summer and ongoing labor challenges at third-party manufacturers as well as persistent supply chain challenges hindering...

Icon Foods’ sweetness modulators ‘bury’ off-notes of sugar alternatives for more appealing flavor profiles

27-Jan-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

Two new sweetness modulators from Icon Foods promise to smooth out the flavor profiles of popular sugar substitutes that, despite significant advancements, continue to fall short of recreating the flavor of processed sugar – either because they come on...

Breakthrough ingredient for plant-based chocolate? Palsgaard highlights high-performing lecithin replacement

26-Jan-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Plant-based chocolate manufacturers have a new ingredient to add to their toolbox: Palsgaard AMP 4455, an emulsifier which Palsgaard claims is twice as efficient as lecithin and can reduce the amount of cocoa butter used in plant-based chocolate formulations...

Barry Callebaut on growth opportunities for chocolate: 'Chocolate confections will always be a popular category'

24-Jan-2022 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Chocolate is one of the first places consumers turn to when they're looking to indulge, says global chocolate ingredient supplier Barry Callebaut, adding that future growth opportunities in the category will be centered around health, transparency,...

Soup-To-Nut Podcast: Building a new category requires a new playbook, NightFood founder says

24-Jan-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

When it comes to building a new category, the founder of the better-for-you, late-night snacking company NightFood found after years of struggling to explain his value proposition to consumers that a new playbook was in order – one that focuses more on...

M&M’s new campaign to bring people closer together triggers blowback, snark across social media

24-Jan-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

The green M&M is trading in her go-go boots for kicky low-rise sneakers and toning down her sexuality as part of a brand refresh by Mars intended to make the candies “more inclusive, welcoming and unifying,” but it appears to be having the opposite...

DouxMatok & Blommer Chocolate bring ‘game changing’ portfolio of sugar-reduced chocolate to US

19-Jan-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

DouxMatok, an Israeli firm that is shaking up sugar reduction with patented technology that heightens the perception of sweetness, is teaming with Blommer Chocolate to produce a ‘game changing’ portfolio of chocolate products with significantly less sugar,...

Veganuary gains traction in US – shining a spotlight on areas ripe for plant-based innovation

18-Jan-2022 By Elizabeth Crawford

Nearly a third of Americans plan to drop or reduce animal-based products in their diet this month in favor of vegan options as part of Veganuary – a well-established global movement that may still be relatively new in the US, but which still is shining...

Behave better-for-you gummies satisfy online appetite, move into candy aisle

17-Jan-2022 By Asia Sherman

In its first year, low-sugar candy startup Behave has faced demand-driven stockouts, reformulated with less sugars and expanded into stores across the US.