Interview: Christiaan Prins on cocoa sustainability, communications – and life after Barry Callebaut

As VP of Corporate Communications at Barry Callebaut Group, Christiaan Prins was at the forefront of many of the recent sustainability challenges in the cocoa sector. He has now established a new strategic communications consultancy, theLOOP Communications, to use his expertise to help companies enhance their trust factor in supply chains. In an exclusive interview for our latest podcast episode, he reflects on his time at Barry Callebaut and the issues still facing the chocolate industry. Read more

The importance of women in the cocoa value chain

Cocoa production is decisively linked with women, and sustainable value chains are, too. However, how will their roles differ with the upcoming EU legislation on deforestation, and in a broader issue, will it threaten cocoa and chocolate exporters? Read more

Barry Callebaut announces change to executive board and CHF500m investment plan

In the first major announcement since Peter Feld took over the reins as chief executive officer from Peter Boone in April, the Group said it is to invest CHF 500 million ($563 million) over the next two years in core customer areas and in efficiency measures leading to CHF 250 million annual cost reductions supporting margins and cash flow. Read more

Sustainable Commodities Forum promises to address ‘unspoken truths’ in the supply chain

Representatives from many of the major chocolate companies and cocoa suppliers are due to travel to Amsterdam at the end of October to take part in the Sustainable Commodities and Landscapes Forum. Read more

Higher cocoa yields will help protect Cote d’Ivoire’s forests, new White Paper finds

As new research reveals that deforestation in the world’s largest cocoa-growing country could be far more worse than originally predicted, a White Paper published by Barry Callebaut looks how to tackle productivity on cocoa farms to end the cycle of unsustainable practices. Read more