ConfectioneryNews.com

Farmers’ short end of the supply chain deal is not over

October marks Fairtrade month, a significant event this year amid the continuing cocoa crisis and its impact on farmers’ livelihoods.

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Does new study pave the way for cocoa’s future as a functional food?

For comfort-eaters who turn to fatty foods in times of anxiety, there may be a new (and delicious) way to curb the negative effects of their behaviour: a cup of cocoa.

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Driving change in student snacking through sugar reduction

The availability of healthy food options in secondary schools does not equate to healthy eating, a UK university finds. In the new study, researchers at Birmingham University found that, on average, less than two-thirds (64%) of schools meet UK food standards.

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Inside the sour sweet boom winning over multiple generations

From new formulations, collaboration and flavour maximisation, 2024 has seen new sour varieties hit the SKU concept boards and onto the shelves. Manufacturers have jumped onto the sour sales boom, with multinationals and start-ups getting in on the growing trend.

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What’s hot in confectionery? New product development from Hershey to Ferrara

The new year is officially here and it’s our first new product development rundown of 2025. With the arrival of the new year comes new innovations, interesting marketing campaigns and intriguing tastes for consumers to enjoy.

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What’s hot in confectionery? New product development from M&M’s to Fulfil Protein

Keeping up-to-date on the latest confectionery developments and chocolate, candy and gum trends is vital in today’s competitive and changing sector. In our bi-weekly new product development (NPD) roundup, we bring you the latest launches from confectionery companies, big and small, to show you the latest product releases in this fast-moving space.

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Rising cocoa prices set to test confectionery innovation for Easter

According to Financial Times market data, cocoa market prices were up 143% on January 15 compared to the same time in 2024. The spike in cocoa costs came only a month after the business and economic publication reported how the cocoa sector was on “the brink of a big price surge”.

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Flavour fusions and indulgence: What’s next for chocolate?

Consumers choose chocolate for its connections with indulgence and enjoyment. Globally, chocolate remains one of the leading purchases in the confectionery category. Innova Market Insights finds that 65% of adults have purchased chocolate in the past year, while a third consume it weekly.

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How brands are tackling cocoa shortages, shrinkflation, and pricing pressures

Price is on the mind of all confectioners as attention turns to the strategies sweet makers will be adopting to navigate the changing and complex confectionery landscape.

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Is vanilla the go-to flavour for confectioners in 2025?

Vanilla plays a role in classic and contemporary confectionery creations, scoring favour among shoppers.

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Caramel comes under fire as confectioners seek natural brown alternatives

Natural colour development, is a leading trend in 2025, responding to consumer calls for natural pigments from natural raw materials.

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What’s in store for global confectionery regulations in 2025?

With the new year comes new growth projections and regulatory updates, shifting confectioners’ preparations and priorities for the year ahead. With new legal updates around deforestation compliance, human rights protections and plastic waste requirements taking shape this year, confectionery manufacturers are looking for the latest insights ahead of the legal changes.

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Prebiotic confectionery attracts scalable start-ups

While remaining in its infancy, prebiotic confectionery has been growing in functional formulations in recent years. Known for their high-fibre content and healthy gut bacteria, prebiotics have gained a reputation as a formidable functional food ingredient, standing out as a sought-after claim, particularly on dairy products such as yoghurt.

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Predictions for the future of chocolate

After a year of escalating costs that culminated in an already peak price of $12,261 per ton in April 2024, cocoa prices surged once again in December 2024, which, according to the World Bank, were up by 30%. On December 18, they reached an all-time high, once again, hitting $12,646 per ton, TrackInsight reports.

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How to supercharge a modest marketing budget in 2025

For candy SMEs whose ad campaigns can’t stretch to a Superbowl ad or YouTuber-backed social media blitz, there is one tactic that’s emerging as a great way to achieve cut-through in a saturated and sophisticated confectionery market: freakification.

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Kid-friendly confectionery gets a functional upgrade

In 2025, the global confectionery market’s revenue is projected to be worth $619.20bn, growing at an annual growth rate of 5.35% between 2025 and 2029. Health and wellness are expected to play a pivotal role in the space, with a noticeable shift in consumer demands centring around more health-conscious choices such as plant-based, gluten-free and reduced-sugar varieties.

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2025’s top confectionery flavour trends

A new year brings new concepts, creations and culinary confectionery twists to surprise and delight sweet treat shoppers. According to Statista, the confectionery market will be worth $619bn in 2025, and it is projected to grow by 5.35% between 2025 and 2029.

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What’s hot in confectionery? New product development from Hershey to Hi-Chew

As the countdown to the holiday season ramps up, confectioners are releasing festive-focused SKUs and new formulations that can stand out to shoppers on the shelves. Leading confectionery names are leaning into the festive season’s popularity to unveil new products, selections and flavour combinations across the sector.

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Confectionery brands boost sales with big-name collaborations

In 2024, confectionery brands leaned hard into cross-category and cross-industry partnerships. The last quarter of the year saw global names team up with food service, fashion, and sporting giants, making an early addition to their 2025 marketing campaigns and sales figures.

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EU Commission reaches agreement on the EU-Mercosur deal

The Association of Chocolate, Biscuit, and Confectionery Industries of Europe, CAOBISCO, the European sugar industry association CIUS sugar group, and the Abicab Brazilian confectionery body were among 79 organisations across industries that called for an end to the negotiations on the European Union and Mercosur trade deal.

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Five EU packaging rules confectioners need to know

Following calls to further update the 30-year regulation on packaging and packaging waste, the proposed updates have now been given the formal go-ahead, with Members of the European Parliament approving the law.

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Confectionery giants amass almost $500 million in US advertising spend

The collective advertising spend in the US for confectionery companies reached almost $500 million in 2023. According to the latest figures published by Statista in December 2024, a total of nine sweet treat companies spent close to half a billion in advertising over the course of 12 months in the US throughout 2023.

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Natural colour development set to ramp up in 2025

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering the future of red dye as a colour additive in foods. The FDA is actively reviewing a petition filed for FD&C Red No.3 colour, which details the legal reasoning behind banning the red dye type in foods, including confectionery products.

ConfectioneryNews.com

Inside the sour sweet boom winning over multiple generations

From new formulations, collaboration and flavour maximisation, 2024 has seen new sour varieties hit the SKU concept boards and onto the shelves. Manufacturers have jumped onto the sour sales boom, with multinationals and start-ups getting in on the growing trend.