Two Belgian chocolate producers are the first in the world to release tooth-friendly chocolate products onto the market. Daskalidès and Chocolaterie Smet, released the much anticipated chocolate products yesterday, with the release an extension of the current push toward healthier chocolate products. Tooth-friendly chocolate is a innovation courtesy of Barry Callebaut, a world leading producer of high quality cocoa and chocolate. Barry Callebaut’s toothfriendly chocolate has been bestowed... ...Read more »
Gourmet chocolate continues to capture the attention of shoppers despite cost cutting caused by concerns about the economy. A new market research report released by Packaged Facts, Premium Chocolate in the U.S.: Mass, Gourmet, Prestige and Super Premium, 4th Edition, explains how it is that premium chocolate is thriving despite grim economic times, with a 9% gain over 2007 gourmet chocolate sales. It seems that Americans, while scaling down consumerism generally, are permitting themselves indulgence... ...Read more »
Chocolate is seen as a comfort food. During troubled times, consumers often turn to chocolate for comfort, but European shoppers are likely to carefully consider what they are buying this year, according to Rabobank Confectionery Analyst Maria Castroviejo. According to a recent UK survey, the best performing chocolate category in the first half of 2008 was chocolate tablets and the worst hit were boxed chocolates, indicating a trading down within the segment. “When chocolate is purchased for... ...Read more »
Cadbury has announced third quarter revenue growth of 6 per cent, in-line with expectations, as the caution of consumers fails to dampen their profit expectations. Australian results, dragged down by a 5% decline in beverage sales, were not as impressive. Cadbury reported a renewed focus on strengthening their global chocolate, gum and candy divisions and new initiatives in their Vision into Action (VIA) strategy. They will change their structure, with four regions to become seven; including Asia-Pacific... ...Read more »
Mars, Incorporated announced overnight that it has successfully completed its acquisition of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, following approval of the transaction by Wrigley stockholders on September 25, 2008 and receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. Upon completion of the US$23b acquisition, the Wrigley Company becomes a subsidiary of family-owned Mars, Incorporated and will retain its current headquarters in Chicago, Ilinois. Wrigley will operate as a separate business segment, alongside... ...Read more »
In spite of, or perhaps because of, tough economic times, many Americans are clinging to their smallest, most indulgent pleasures, with chocolate, alcohol and cigarette sales remaining solid. New research from Mintel shows market sales for chocolate, cigarettes and alcohol strong and steady. Historically, these “sin stocks” have performed well during times of economic recession. “Chocolate, cigarettes and alcohol again seem relatively recession-proof,” commented Marcia... ...Read more »
The iconic Mars bar is getting a healthy makeover, with Mars Snackfood UK launching a ‘raising the bar’ campaign highlighting a range of nutritional improvements to their range of snackfood throughout Europe. Recipe modifications to the Mars bar and other leading chocolate products, coupled with packaging alterations, will be completed within weeks. Mars, Snickers, Milky Way and Twix will all become free from artificial preservatives, flavours and colours, with each product... ...Read more »
Cadbury has today announced a $135 million proposal to improve the productivity and efficiency of their chocolate manufacturing sites in Australia and New Zealand. The changes will result in about 160 job losses over two years at their Claremont factory in Tasmania, with a further 145 expected to be lost in Dunedin, New Zealand and 25 in Ringwood, Victoria. Staff were informed at a meeting this afternoon after production was reportedly stopped at 4 this morning. The decision follows Cadbury’s... ...Read more »
The European Commission has cleared, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of sole control of Wrigley by Mars. The EU concluded that the proposed transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it. In April this year Wrigley, the world leading gum maker, agreed to the takeover by Mars Inc., with Wrigley to become a subsidiary of Mars. Mars, a US-based family-owned company is a global leader in confectionery,... ...Read more »
Worldwide cocoa production has been tainted by child slave labour over the course of the past decade, but an Australian company is now one of an increasing number worldwide who are looking to eradicate slave labour from the industry. On a visit to Cocoa Australia’s cocoa plantation and processing centre at Mossman Central Mill last week, Opposition Spokesman for Northern Australia, Senator Ian Macdonald, indicated that this Australian first would help to reduce the use of child labour to produce... ...Read more »