APRIL 2025


EDITORIAL Editor


Kiran Grewal kgrewal@kennedys.co.uk


Features Editor Suzanne Callander


scallander@kennedys.co.uk


Production & Design Marc Miller


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Business Development Manager Gary Smythson


gsmythson@kennedys.co.uk 01622 699183


Subscriptions Manager Nic Wood


nic.wood@c-cms.com Events


Gary Smythson


gsmythson@kennedys.co.uk 01622 699183


ACCOUNTS accounts@datateam.co.uk EDITOR’s LETTER Welcome to the April edition of Kennedy’s Confection.


This month, I had the pleasure of stepping into the heart of one of the UK’s most imaginative chocolate companies—Cocoba. In what can only be described as a deliciously awe-inspiring experience, I toured their factory in Kent and witnessed the unveiling of their record-breaking 300kg chocolate egg. Speaking with Cocoba’s founder, Darren Litton, I was struck by his passion, entrepreneurial grit, and his dedication to crafting products that bring genuine joy. You can read the full interview on page 12  available on our website, marking the beginning of a new multimedia journey for Kennedy’s. Expect more rich, dynamic storytelling in the months to come. Our commitment to bringing untold or underreported perspectives continues this month


with a remarkable conversation with VisionSpring (page 30). Their work providing vision correction to cocoa farmers is both eye-opening (forgive the pun!) and inspiring. It’s easy  are proving transformative for farming communities—and, by extension, for the future of ethical cocoa sourcing. Elsewhere in this issue, we spotlight sustainability from multiple angles: from energy-


(page 34) to the lifecycle of sustainable packaging (page 20). As the pressures of climate change and resource management grow more acute, it’s vital that we remain informed and connected. Partnerships like Carbery Group’s with EIT Food (page 6) demonstrate how cross-industry collaboration can help redevelop the food system into something more equitable and sustainable. We’re also seeing the next generation of consumers come into sharper focus. Candy


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Kennedy’s Confection ISSN 1474-3841


Set up in 1890, Kennedy’s Confection is the longest– established magazine in the trade and is distributed exclusively worldwide to manufacturers of chocolate, sugar confectionery and bakery products.


Kennedy’s Publications


Part of the Datateam Media Group Media Director Paul Ryder


Registered in England No. 1771113. Entire contents © 2025 Kennedy’s Publications, part of the Datateam Media Group. Material may not be reproduced in any form without the publisher’s written approval. For details on reprints and permissions, contact the director of Kennedy’s


KennedysConfection.com 


Kiran Grewal, Editor kgrewal@kennedys.co.uk


Kennedy’s Confection April 2025 3


Dynamics’ bold move into Roblox with their Toxic Waste® storefront shows just how quickly confectionery brands are adapting to the immersive digital spaces where Gen-Z and Gen-  to see how confectionery can play creatively within those realms while still engaging authentically. I’ll admit, some of it still goes over my head a little bit, but the technological advancement is impressive none-the-less! As the cocoa industry faces a perfect storm of market instability, regulatory pressure


and environmental strain, conversations around sustainability are shifting from “why” to “how fast.” This urgency was on full display at the recent World Cocoa Foundation Partnership Meeting in São Paulo, where nearly 500 stakeholders came together to push for more equitable and ethical cocoa sourcing models. In this issue, we shine a spotlight on what that shift looks like in practice, from traceable supply chains and fairer pricing mechanisms to long-term investment in farming communities. Our sustainable cocoa and ethical sourcing feature (page 14) explores how leading organisations are moving beyond compliance to reimagine cocoa sourcing as a force for systemic change. As always, thank you for reading. And don’t forget to read about all our exciting updates


for the London Chocolate Forum 2025 on page 8, with new speakers and sponsors being announced every issue, I urge you to get your tickets now: https://londonchocolateforum.com/tickets/


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