Lindt & Sprüngli is strengthening its Christmas 2026 offering with premium gifting formats, indulgent new flavours and a strategic push into snacking, including Lindor Cinnamon Roll and Shortbread.
pladis Global grew sales to £3.3bn in 2025, but inflation and macroeconomic pressures weighed on profits. Strong branded sales, manufacturing investments and innovation initiatives are expected to support long-term growth.
Mondelēz’s Harmony sustainability programme is becoming an independent certification scheme, opening sustainable wheat production standards to the wider European value chain.
Barry Callebaut is refocusing its growth strategy around premium gourmet chocolate, specialty ingredients and solutions-led partnerships as it works to restore service levels, regain market share and improve profitability following operational challenges and cocoa market volatility. CEO Hein Schumacher says the company’s Focus for Growth plan prioritises 10 key markets, innovation and higher-margin categories to drive sustainable long-term growth.
As climate change threatens cocoa supplies, scientists, farmers and chocolate giants are betting on biodiversity, pollination and regenerative farming. But is the industry moving fast enough to protect future yields?
Conagra’s analysis of AI queries suggests shoppers are asking for snacks that meet specific needs. What does the evidence reveal about discovery and sales?
Toblerone and Biscoff's latest collaboration highlights the growing power of premiumisation and brand partnerships in confectionery, as manufacturers increasingly turn to innovation, indulgence and iconic collaborations to drive future growth.
From Lindt and Ferrero to Mondelēz and Nestlé, chocolate giants are embracing ultra-premium innovation as demand for luxury, sustainability and craftsmanship continues to rise.
Mondelēz has made Toblerone Pink Crush a permanent product after strong consumer demand, marking the company's first mass-produced pink chocolate launch.
Nestlé Russia vows to continue operations after Kremlin seizure of assets, as the Swiss food giant assesses its options and analysts warn of broader risks for foreign businesses.
Five days after the Kremlin seized control of Nestlé Russia, analysts, industry leaders and the Swiss government are assessing the implications for the food and beverage giant, foreign investors and the future of multinational business in Russia.
Mars says it has largely delivered on the sustainability targets it set seven years ago and is now shifting its cocoa strategy toward farmer livelihoods, productivity gains and climate resilience as threats to global cocoa supplies intensify.
Kremlin places Nestlé’s Russian business under temporary administration, prompting Swiss food and beverage giant to assess its options and legal rights.
Confectionery innovation is evolving rapidly, driven by consumer demand for functional ingredients, multisensory experiences, sustainability and healthier indulgence. Discover the key trends shaping new product development and join the upcoming ConfectioneryNews broadcast featuring experts from Mars, Ferrara, pladis and Lumina Intelligence.
Ferrara Candy Company is bringing nostalgia and convenience to the snack aisle, with new 2.5oz Iconic Pocket Packs, featuring classic brands including Lemonheads, Runts, Bottle Caps and Red Hots, offering consumers a convenient, on-the-go format.
Hershey is accelerating innovation in functional snacks and cultural moments to drive year-round growth as consumer spending and candy sales face pressure.
Evening snacking is booming as consumers seek comfort, convenience and indulgence at home. Discover the trends shaping the occasion, from premiumisation and meal replacement to health-focused innovation, and how food and drink brands can win the evening snack market.
The sweetener market is evolving as manufacturers balance sugar reduction targets, health concerns, consumer preferences, regulatory pressures and new ingredient innovation.
Through its partnership with Mars, Incorporated, Unreasonable Group is highlighting growth-stage ventures developing novel technologies that are targeting how food is produced, tested and packaged, from algae-based proteins and meat-texture engineering to AI-powered contamination detection and advanced recycling.
Cadbury has teamed up with Oreo to launch Cadbury Delights Oreo, the latest addition to its under-100-calorie chocolate range. The collaboration highlights confectionery's ongoing appetite for brand partnerships, but raises questions about whether 'permissible indulgence' marketing risks straying into healthwashing.
Cloetta launches Sprinkled Foamies, combining a soft foam centre with a crunchy coating to tap into growing demand for texture-led confectionery and sour flavours.
Nestlé is shifting from growth through scale to growth through execution. CFO Anna Manz outlines how AI, emerging markets, Coffee, Petcare and targeted investment will drive the company's future.
Terry’s Chocolate Orange and Baileys join forces for a festive collaboration, highlighting the growing role of brand partnerships in driving confectionery sales, consumer excitement and Christmas spending.
Food and beverage collaborations are booming in 2026. From Ritter Sport x Haribo to Heinz x Absolut, discover what's driving the trend and where brand partnerships are headed next.
Mars Impact Fund invests over $13m in global community programmes, backing farmer livelihoods, healthcare access, youth education and animal welfare initiatives.
British confectionery giant Swizzels has teamed up with Spanish home fragrance specialist Cristalinas to launch a range of sweet-inspired diffusers and room sprays, bringing the scents of its iconic confectionery brands into the home fragrance category in a nostalgic cross-category collaboration.
Big Food is undergoing a major transformation as rising costs, private label growth, shifting consumer demand and investor pressure force companies to rethink portfolios, leadership and growth strategies.
The Hershey Company has appointed long-time executive Dave Hulays as CFO, succeeding Steve Voskuil, as the confectionery giant advances its growth strategy across chocolate, salty snacks and functional snacking amid industry-wide cocoa cost and inflation challenges.
Nestlé has agreed to sell its mainstream Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements portfolio to Yellow Wood Partners in a $1bn deal, as the food giant sharpens its focus on premium, science-led nutrition brands.
Nestlé unveils its Christmas 2026 confectionery range, featuring festive KitKat, Smarties, Milkybar and After Eight products as gifting takes centre stage.
Companies including Mondelēz, PepsiCo and pladis are taking part in a Belgium-wide packaging trial which will test whether invisible watermarks can improve sorting. If successful, the trail will enable the development of more targeted recycling systems. The trial aims to get industry ready for PPWR minimums on recycled packaging content that will be introduced in 2030.
The US shift away from synthetic food dyes could increase demand for natural colors by up to 500%, exposing major supply, cost and reformulation challenges.
Lindt & Sprüngli has teamed up with avant-garde fashion designer Joe Ando to turn its new Tokyo Style Matcha Strawberry Chocolate into high-fashion dresses, highlighting the growing trend for confectionery collaborations as brands seek buzzworthy consumer experiences.
Nestlé retains its crown as the world's most valuable food brand in 2026, while Lay's holds second place despite a significant valuation gap. Yili, Doritos and Lindt post strong gains, while Tyson records the biggest decline among the top 10 food brands.
Former pladis CEO Cem Karakaş explains why acquisitions, retailer innovation and global expansion are increasing the value of private-label manufacturers.
Godiva is marking its 100th anniversary with a limited-edition pralines collection and an animated film, as the pladis-owned chocolatier celebrates a century of premium chocolate craftsmanship.
As veganism declines and plant-based brands struggle, could the solution be to stop marketing products as vegan? Taste, health and value may hold the key to the future success of animal-free food.
Lindt & Sprüngli has expanded its Excellence range with the launch of a new 100% cocoa dark chocolate bar, responding to growing demand for higher-cocoa products while advancing its commitment to Rainforest Alliance-certified cocoa sourcing.
The Hershey Company's Reese’s teams up with viral coffee brand The Nitro Bar for seasonal launch as confectionery brands embrace cross-category collaborations and beverage innovation.
Hershey unveils its biggest Halloween range yet, combining seasonal confectionery, savoury snacks and better-for-you options as it looks to capitalise on growing demand for novelty, collectability and cross-category snacking during key seasonal occasions.
Confectionery fraud is rising as volatile cocoa markets, premium ingredient demand and supply chain disruption create new opportunities for adulteration, substitution and counterfeiting. Discover the biggest fraud risks facing chocolate, nuts, honey and other confectionery ingredients, and how manufacturers are responding.
Cadbury renews partnerships with Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham, highlighting the growing role of experiential collaborations in confectionery marketing.
Cadbury owner Mondelēz International has partnered with Australian beauty brand MCoBeauty to launch a Dairy Milk Watermelon chocolate bar and matching cosmetics collection, highlighting the growing trend for cross-category collaborations between confectionery and beauty brands.
Gen Alpha is already influencing snack purchases, with NIQ research showing a growing focus on nutrition, ingredients, health benefits and better-for-you options.
Nestlé is developing products tailored to GLP-1 users, using AI and nutritional science to address challenges including muscle loss, dehydration and rebound hunger, as the food giant positions itself for the growing weight-loss drug market.
Ritter Sport and Haribo team up for the first time to launch limited-edition Balla Bites chocolate bar amid confectionery's booming collaboration trend.
pladis targets pumpkin spice trend with new Flipz and Dunkin’ collaboration. The limited-edition pretzels combine sweet and salty flavours as seasonal launches and cross-brand partnerships continue to drive engagement across the confectionery and snacking sectors.
Private label is shedding its budget image as retailers invest in premium ingredients, innovation and branding. Discover how premium own-label products are reshaping consumer perceptions, driving growth across food and beverage categories, and challenging established brands for shopper loyalty.
Mondelēz tops Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery’s 2026 Global Top 100 candy companies ranking, ahead of Mars and Ferrero, as confectionery sales remain strong.
Hershey is ramping up its premiumisation strategy through innovation, acquisitions and seasonal offerings as it targets growth beyond mainstream confectionery.
Mars celebrates its 115th anniversary, marking five generations of family ownership as the maker of M&M's, Snickers and Twix looks to shape the future of food through innovation, sustainability and long-term investment.
Krispy Kreme reported improved profitability in Q2 2026, with adjusted EBITDA up 43.2% and net losses narrowing by $421.3m. The doughnut maker's turnaround plan is gaining traction, but revenue remains under pressure.
What is ceremonial cacao and why is demand growing? Pachakuti Cacao's Steve Gravener explains the evidence, the sourcing model and where the real NPD opportunity lies beyond the cup.
Nestlé’s decision to close its Diósgyőr factory highlights how rising costs, shifting seasonal demand and manufacturing rationalisation are reshaping the confectionery industry.
Chocolate leakage isn't always an ingredient problem. Discover why process consistency, chocolate batons and production performance matter as much as specification in modern bakery manufacturing.
The European Commission's full Mars-Kellanova merger ruling reveals why regulators rejected concerns over brand power and retailer leverage – and what the decision means for future food and snack industry acquisitions.
Nestlé is expanding After Eight beyond Mint for the first time in over 60 years, launching Caramel, Orange and Raspberry flavours alongside a brand refresh.
Stranger Things, Wednesday and Wicked tie-ins show why movie collabs work for snack brands, with 68% of consumers buying co-branded or special edition products.
Food and beverage innovation is moving beyond the traditional seasonal calendar, with brands increasingly focused on fast-moving trends and micro-seasons.
Mars, Ferrero and Intersnack keep paying huge premiums for listed food firms. Two M&A advisers explain why family dynasties keep outbidding the market.
Nestlé is bringing festive flavour to shelves early with the launch of Milkybar Caramel Crunch, a new seasonal sharing bar featuring caramel biscuit pieces.
Why are major CPGs including Nestlé, PepsiCo, Mars, Ferrero, Kraft Heinz, and Mondelēz embracing contract manufacturing? Experts explain the shift, benefits, risks and future of co-manufacturing.
Mars' Shubh Mint programme is improving farmer livelihoods, empowering women and building a more resilient natural mint supply chain through sustainable sourcing and climate-smart farming practices in India.
From Coca-Cola to Co-op, cyber attacks are hitting the food and beverage industry harder than ever. Here's how companies can tackle the growing threat.
Hershey has joined the growing Summerween trend as consumers embrace Halloween months before October. Discover how the social media-driven phenomenon is creating new opportunities for confectionery brands, retailers and seasonal sales.
Nestlé’s H1 2026 results point to a recovery in momentum, with stronger volume growth, resilient margins and increased marketing investment helping offset ongoing commodity cost pressures and weaker consumer demand.
Hershey reports strong Q2 2026 results, with net sales up 6.6% to $2.78bn and net income surging 629%, prompting the confectionery giant to raise its full-year outlook.
