Latest news with #chocolate
ABC News
11 hours ago
- Business
- ABC News
Australian grown chocolate set to boom
If you've browsed the chocolate aisle in your local supermarket recently, it's likely you've noticed prices are soaring. That's because supply challenges in West Africa have led to global supply shortages of chocolate's key ingredient, cocoa. But it's creating opportunities for Australian cocoa farmers, who are expecting the local industry to boom over the next decade.
ABC News
19 hours ago
- Business
- ABC News
Australian chocolate gains a competitive edge in global cocoa shortage
Chris Jahnke's Far North Queensland cocoa farm is not the cheapest place to buy chocolate, but as the price of imports soars, people are lining up to buy his beans. "I've actually got a waiting list of people wanting to buy Australian cocoa beans and we just don't have enough to supply them," Mr Jahnke said. Supply challenges in the major West African cocoa-producing countries, Ghana and Ivory Coast, have led to record prices, driving up the cost of chocolate for consumers. Not just a cocoa grower, Mr Jahnke also produces chocolate at his Mission Beach property, about 130km south of Cairns in Queensland's far north. "I get calls probably at least once a week from Australian chocolate makers — these are the sort of boutique, bean-to-bar kind of makers — wanting to buy Australian beans," he said. "That's not just in Australia. We get inquiries from overseas now that we're becoming a bit more well known." He expected it would lead to growth in the Australian industry over the next decade. "I think we'll get to a point where we'll be … maybe producing a couple of thousand tonnes of cocoa here in Australia, which is still a drop in the ocean in the worldwide cocoa supply," he said. Historically, cocoa prices have averaged close to $4,600 a tonne, according to Rabobank agricultural analyst, Paul Joules. But by the end of last year, prices peaked at almost $17,000 a tonne, eventually settling at about $14,000 a tonne. Later this year, the European Union plans to enforce new trade regulations that penalise products linked to deforestation. It will apply to commodities including cattle, wood, cocoa, soy, palm oil, coffee, rubber, and their associated products. Mr Joules says it will be a significant change. "It could have big impacts and it could cause a bit of a shift in supply chains for these key EU importers and where they're getting their products from." He says, to some degree, prices have already started to move because Europe is a significant importer of cocoa. "It's going to be very difficult to source products from key [European] producers so that, potentially, was also one of the factors as to why we saw higher prices," Mr Joules said. "There's already a bit of fear in the market and, of course, depending on how it plays out, it could potentially cause a little bit more upside." In May, the federal Department of Agriculture said Australia had been classified as a low-risk country under the European regulation. That means it will be easier for EU businesses to source ingredients grown here than from countries classified as higher risk, like Ivory Coast. For Mr Janke, that presents a big opportunity. "Deforestation is a common thing in West Africa, which grows 70 per cent of the cocoa, so there is a significant problem for that industry in Europe," he said. "Because so much of cocoa is grown in Third World countries, where they have all sorts of compliance issues, we're at the head of the queue just by virtue of where we are."
Times
a day ago
- Business
- Times
Where luxury meets ASMR: Läderach chocolate
Founded in the postcard-perfect Swiss canton of Glarus in 1962, Läderach is one of the world's greatest chocolatiers. The family-owned company has been handed down over three generations, and the head of production and innovation, Elias Läderach, was a winner of the 2018 World Chocolate Masters award in Paris. Läderach chocolates are still made in Glarus, and the cocoa is sourced from 1,400 suppliers across Ghana and South America, with the team working closely with farmers to ensure that all the cocoa is certified by the Rainforest Alliance. You can buy Läderach chocolates at the brand's flagship store in Regent Street, London, or at its outposts at Harrods and Westfield White City. Many of the company's chocolates are presented in the form of a large tablet weighing as much as 850g, in flavours including milk chocolate and macadamia, raspberry and blackberry white chocolate, and dark chocolate pistachio. This allows you to have the satisfying feeling of breaking off piece after piece of chocolatey goodness without any boring portion control.
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Kids snack brand launches two new flavours costing just 33p each – and they're perfect for lunch boxes
A POPULAR kids snack brand has launched two brand new flavours, with each lunchbox treat costing just 33p. With pressures from the cost-of-living crisis remaining high, many parents are finding it hard to provide their kids with well-earned treats. And although food prices are skyrocketing, thankfully there are still some budget-friendly options for money conscious parents. Kids' snack brand Whaoo! has launched two new delicious treats for chocolate fans. Snack lovers can now get their hands on Chocolate and Banana Filled Crêpes and bite-sized Mini Chocolate Chip Brioche Buns. The two products come in packs of six, costing £1.95 at Tesco and Asda, making each snack just 33p. The tiny tasty treats are perfect for popping into kids lunchboxes, and can be enjoyed on the go on extra busy days. Whaoo! said: "Whether it's a snack for after school activities, a companion for weekend adventures or a delightful lunchbox surprise, both newly launched products are individually wrapped for convivence and parents can trust the sweet treats to provide a delicious quick fix when tummies start to rumble." 'We're thrilled to be expanding our range with two new snacks", said ean-Pascal Allemand, Managing Director at Whaoo! "Our Chocolate & Banana Filed Crêpes put a sweet spin on our much-loved original, and we're especially excited to introduce our Mini Chocolate Chip Brioche Bun – a brand-new style of snack that's just as convenient and delicious. "Whether it's for the school run, sports club, or weekend outings, Whaoo! has families covered with snacks that parents trust, and kids love.' This comes after a major supermarket began selling viral "angel hair" chocolate, which left some shoppers disgusted. Mum's Viral Lunchboxes for 11 Kids: Netizens React! The Viele Angel Hair Strawberry Flavour Chocolate is now available at Morrisons, and the unusual looking snack is dividing customers. The pink Turkish chocolate bar is filled with pistachio cream and green cotton candy, with the inside resembling human hair. Morrisons posted a video of the new product to its Instagram page this week, writing: "The viral Angel Hair chocolate bar has officially landed in stores... have you tried it yet?" But many customers appeared to be revolted by the sweet treat, with one responding: "Eww are you meant to eat that?" What the NHS recommends children have for lunch: The NHS gives a number of suggestions and guidelines on their Chnage4Life website. Base the lunchbox on foods like bread, rice, pasta and potatoes - wholegrain ideally - too keep kids fuller for longer If your child isn't keen on wholegrain, try making sandwiches with one slice of white and one slice of wholemeal bread Try to keep lunchboxes interesting by using a variety of shapes like bagels, pittas and wraps Make food fun as lunches can be more exciting if the child has to put them together, like having foods for dipping and makes a change from sandwiches every day. Opt for low fat foods, like lean meats or fish. Cut down on the amount of spreads you put into sandwiches Always add a bit of salad and vegetables to the meal Cut down on the crisps Chop up some fruit or peal satsuamas and add those instead of sweets Cheese can be high in fat and salt so pick strong tasting ones or go for low-fat varieties Get the kids involved in making the lunch - they'll be more likely to eat it if they helped make it Another said it looked "vile", while one shopper asked: "Is that supposed to be edible? It looks awful?" The Sun recently revealed Cadbury is launching a new Dairy Milk Iced Latte bar this summer. The new bar blends its classic Dairy Milk chocolate with a creamy coffee filling and crunchy biscuit pieces. The chocolate brand is also introducing four limited-edition Dairy Milk Summer Edition bars, complete with unique packaging designed for the 53% of Brits who, according to the brand's survey, enjoy their chocolate chilled. This packaging changes its appearance when cooled, thanks to special thermochromic technology, revealing bright, summery designs. The new chocolate bars will hit the shelves this month and will be available throughout the summer period for £2 a piece.
CBS News
2 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
On Juneteenth, a Colorado chocolate company challenges consumers to oppose slave labor
This Juneteenth, a Colorado company is calling attention to the continued use of child and slave labor in the production of chocolate. The owners of Bibamba Chocolate at Edgewater Public Market are hosting a chocolate making class on the Juneteenth holiday. Bibamba The Tcheunou family founded Bibamba Chocolate with the purchase of a 56-acre cacao growing farm in Cameroon in 2015. Their first cacao harvest was in 2020. The Tcheunous oversee every step of the process from the growing and harvesting of cacao beans to handcrafting the chocolate at their Denver area shop and factory. They say they strive to ensure their business is ethical and sustainable. The presence of slavery in much of the world's chocolate production is real, say the Tcheunous. CBS "Slave(ery) in (the) chocolate industry exists. They employ, get kids against their will to work in farms, cocoa farms," said Patrick Tcheunou. "Consumers have a big role to play. If they get more and more concerned about it and make the conscious decision to support the chocolate companies that do the right thing, I think more and more chocolate companies will start paying more attention to it." CBS "We directly employ all of our farm team and pay them more than living wage and health coverage," said Mara Tcheunou, describing the close working relationship with the company's production team in Cameroon. "It brings people a step closer to their food, not only feeling connected to their chocolate maker and their local business owners, but even a world away in Africa where everything is grown and where this all starts from." In addition to the Juneteenth class on Thursday, Bibamba Chocolate will be hosting chocolate making classes throughout the summer, offering a way to learn about sourcing and making informed food choices. Pre-registration is required. Juneteenth Artisan Chocolate-Making Class Thursday, June 19, 6:00–7:30 PM Bibamba Chocolate Factory, Edgewater Public Market, 5505 W. 20th Ave, Suite 132, Edgewater, CO 80214 Tickets: $65/person Info & Registration:
