Colombia has prioritized cacao not only for its quality, but also because it offers the country a chance to improve farmer livelihoods, bring security to growing regions, and expand its presence on the global stage.

Smallholder cocoa and coffee farmers and their cooperatives in Honduras are accessing new markets and making better business decisions through IBM Food Trust and IBM Watson Decision Platform for Agriculture, working with Heifer International and IBM.

Thecla Schaeffer, Tony’s head of marketing, recently spoke to Candy Industry about the development of the Sweet Solution collection, the response from customers and retailers, and its mission to achieve 100 achieve slave-free chocolate.

In celebration of Women’s Equality Day on Aug. 26, Fairtrade America highlights the progress made by its gender equality initiatives across the globe while continuing to strengthen its role as an ally to women in farming communities.

Barry Callebaut Group has launched two varieties of chocolate sweetened with cacaofruit as part of its mission to advance cocoa sustainability and drive innovation in the category.

The International Cocoa Initiative has nearly met its goal of reaching 200,000 children with child protection measures half-way through its six-year strategy. 

Cocoa producers, researchers, industry executives, government officials, and civil society organizations, gather to participate in these talks. The discussions will explore how chocolate manufacturing is influenced by cocoa quality standards, direct sourcing and the mapping of cocoa flavor characteristics.