An industry expert has warned that the situation could be 'dire'
for the chocolate industry if ways of preventing cacao diseases are
not effectively explored.
The domination of the confectionery market by global heavy weights
such as Nestlé, Mars and Cadbury Schweppes is forcing small
companies to target highly specialised markets, according to a new
report.A number of high profile mergers...
Global confectionery maker Cadbury Schweppes has opened its first
R&D centre in south-east Asia, as it seeks to drive growth in
emerging markets like China, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.
Fuelled by a combination of health concerns and changing tastes,
dark chocolate has become one of the most rapidly growing sectors
in the confectionery market in the last year.
New opportunities for health-focussed products in the confectionery
industry have bolstered the market, which is estimated to increase
by 16 per cent in the next four years to more than €115bn.
Global confectionery giant, Hershey, has announced encouraging
sales and rising profits - thanks to a strong focus on product
innovation and seasonal marketing in the last year.
IndulgeInChocolate.com, an online gourmet chocolate business, has
extended its line of top-end products in order to tap growing
demand for quality treats.
Chocolate and drinks group Cadbury Schweppes will spend A$24.5
million (€14.3m) on an expansion at its chocolate factory in
Tasmania, it announced last week, citing growing demand for its
chocolate bars in Australia
This month's All Candy Expo in Chicago saw an impressive range of
dark chocolate launches, suggesting that innovation is still
possible in this well-established segment.
Hershey's expansion of its health and nutrition initiative
underlines the extent to which chocolate makers are keen to tap
into consumer health concerns.
Palsgaard, which has launched a range of ingredients designed to
ensure the stable production of low-fat and cost-effective ice
cream coatings, explains why emulsifiers are so important.
Iconic chocolate and snacks brand Hershey has announced
disappointing sales figures, but posted a seven per cent rise in
quarterly profit as the company works on product innovation and
cost minimisation.
A French chocolate industry body has recognised CIRAD for its
pioneering work within the cocoa commodity chain and its
groundbreaking research into cocoa.
Seasonal Easter sales helped sell more than a quarter of America's
gourmet chocolate last year, and during the next four years will
help drive overall sales to nearly $1.8 billion, according to a new
report.
The UK is unlikely to lose its place as one of the world's major
consumers of confectionery despite coming under increasing pressure
as a relatively `unhealthy' food.
Chocoholics rejoice: 2005 was the year it became clear chocolate
really is good for you. But before Christmas ushers in a race to
cram the candy, reflect a moment on where the benefits truly lie,
and where they don't.
Fresh from airing its photographic chocolate technology on the
BBC's Dragons Den, Chocpix looks to have more innovation up
its sleeve. At the ISM show next month, it will be unveiling the
world's first edible comic.
ADM Cocoa hopes to enable manufacturers to differentiate products
and deliver uniquely attractive foods through the launch of a
bright red cocoa powder.
After two years of development ChocoMed, a subsidiary of House of
Brussels Chocolates, is launching its first health and wellness
products using chocolate bars as the delivery medium.
Dark chocolate made with flavonol-rich cocoa may help prevent
diarrhoea, say scientists who have found cocoa compounds to limit
the development of fluids that cause the condition.
The level of antioxidants commonly available in chocolate is
directly linked to the level of natural cocoa contained in the
product, says a new study from the US.
Confectionery companies could always count on consumers to boost
sales at Christmas and other holiday seasons, but a report
published by Mintel adds more support to the notion that consumer
trends are changing.
Seasonal chocolate sales in the US are forecast to reach $3.3bn
(€2.6bn) in 2005, marking a substantial decline over the past five
years, according to a new report published by Research and Markets.
Key to successful premium chocolate product development is an
understanding of the varying consumer habits, expectations and
behaviour in different countries, according to leading Swiss
premium chocolate manufacturer Lindt &...
Leading premium chocolate manufacturer Lindt & Sprüngli has
reported record first half results on the back of increased demand
for premium products in an otherwise slow-moving European chocolate
market.
British chocolate maker and retailer Thorntons has announced that
its chairman Christopher Burnett is considering making a buyout
offer to the company.
US confectionery company Hershey is marching along the acquisition
trail, announcing this week that it has bought another premium
chocolate firm, Californian-based Joseph Schmidt Confections.
Leading US confectionery firm Hershey announced last week its plans
to acquire Californian-based chocolate maker Scharffen Berger in a
deal which the company hopes will allow it to break into the niche
premium quality dark chocolate...
Our journalist Angela Drujinina brings you the latest
research on Russia¡¯s chocolate market, including producers¡¯
concerns, the market situation and market leaders.
Confectionery makers continue to tap into consumer weight and
health concerns in a bid to boost stagnant sales as UK confectioner
Cadbury launches a new range of chocolate bars with under 99
calories.
British confectioner Cadbury is to enter the flourishing organic
chocolate sector for the first time, after acquiring Green and
Black's - the company behind the UK's fastest growing confectionery
brand, Tom Armitage reports.
Cadbury Schweppes, the world's number two confectionery
manufacturer, is to revamp its famous Bournville chocolate-making
facility, as demand for its Dairy Milk brand continues to soar,
Tom Armitage reports.
Barry Callebaut has developed a new process designed to preserve
the valuable polyphenols in cocoa beans during chocolate
production, writes Anthony Fletcher.
Evidence backing the antioxidant powers of natural cocoa could
bring new opportunities for confectionery firms looking to boost
slacking sales in a saturated market, reports Lindsey Partos
.