From The Desk of CocoaRadar
From The Desk of CocoaRadar. A weekly newsletter covering news, analysis and intel on the cocoa and chocolate sector

Latest

Oct
10
Images shows a buyer weighing cocoa beans at a collection point in Ghana.

Ghana LBCs in crisis as cocoa season begins without cash to pay farmers

The threat of insolvency of Produce Buying Company, the largest LBC, after several years of substantial losses, is adding to the pressure on the country’s downstream supply chain, cocoaradar.com can exclusively reveal
7 min read
Oct
08
Image shows chocolate cakes on a plater with a halloween theme.

Chocolate and candy prices in the USA - and their impact on consumer spending

Special Report: Chocolate and candy hold a significant place in the US consumer market, especially during holidays and special occasions, none more so than the Halloween season but are the treats still affordable?
6 min read
Oct
07
Image shows A female cocoa farmer in Colombia inspecting her cocoa farm.

100 female cocoa farmers set to graduate from Chocolate Cordillera’s ATENEA programme

Colombian sustainable brand Chocolate Cordillera will announce a significant update to its ATENEA sustainability programme this week when more than 100 women cocoa farmers from the Urabá, region in Antioquia graduate and complete their transformative journey to become independent entrepreneurs
2 min read
Oct
04
Image shows European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen spealing at a lectern.

EUDR postponement: What (legally) happens next?

On Wednesday, 2 October, the European Commission proposed to the European Parliament and European Council a delay in the European Union Deforesation Regulation (EUDR). CocoaRadar asks what happens now concerning the legislative procedure amid pressure from the right
4 min read
Oct
03
Image shows a farmer's hands in a bag of cocoa.

EUDR delay hits cocoa markets as Cote d’Ivoire sets its farmgate price for new season

Traders react to Brussels bombshell while African farmers call for a higher price closer to the global market for cocoa
3 min read
Oct
02
Image shows European flags flying outside the EC headquarters in Brussels.

CocoaRadar view: Has the European Commission lost all credibility with its decision to delay the EUDR?

The EC has bowed to pressure and put forward a draft amendment to postpone by 12 months the EUDR rules banning key commodities, like coffee, cocoa, soy, and beef, from entering the bloc if there is evidence they were grown in protected forests.
4 min read
Oct
01
Image shows a A cocoa forest in West Africa with shade trees.

Cocoa & Forests Initiative in Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire increases traceability systems ahead of EUDR

The Cocoa & Forests Initiative (CFI), the largest and first sector-wide public-private partnership in the cocoa industry facilitated by the World Cocoa Foundation, is claiming significant strides in traceability systems, forest conservation and climate adaptation as detailed in its latest report
3 min read
Sep
26
Image shows an AI-generated illustration cocoa prices, the EUDR and Russia's Stock Exchange.

The most crucial cocoa stories this week

Cocoa operators in legal limbo as European Commission fails to update EUDR guidelines, cocoa prices enjoy a slight increase on the markets and Russia sets up its own cocoa trading exchange
6 min read
Sep
25
Image shows a model of a cocoa farm with examples of agroforestry. Image: CocoaRadar

Barry Callebaut to become Net Zero by 2050

Leading chocolate and cocoa supplier Barry Callebaut has announced a new strategy to decarbonize its entire value chain. It is setting mid-term targets for 2030 and aiming to achieve Net Zero by 2050
3 min read
Sep
24
Image shows Joke Aerts Open Chain Lead at Tony’s Chocolonely with marketing material.

US chocolate brand Feastables becomes latest ‘Mission Ally’ in Tony’s Open Chain

Launched by Dutch chocolate brand Tony’s Chocolonely, the Open Chain platform is a leader in transforming cocoa supply chains. It helps combat the unfair distribution of value and power in the chocolate industry, which drives cocoa farmers and their families into poverty
4 min read