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facing these persistent supply challenges,


this begs the


question: how can manufacturers mitigate rising costs without passing them onto consumers?


Healthy alternatives


One solution is for manufacturers to seek out alternative raw materials, such as coconut sugar. In fact, this could prove a prudent future-looking approach, as grocery store data has suggested that, with the growing popularity of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, food sales have also been impacted, in line with a wider consumer trend towards pursuing a healthier lifestyle. Indeed,


coconut sugar, considered a


healthier and more sustainable alternative, is gaining popularity globally – particularly in Europe where the global coconut sugar market is set to grow by 206 million US dollars from 2024 to 2028.


The confectionery industry is also experiencing more demand for healthier      including being sugar-free,


dairy-free, and


organic. This shows the growing market potential for healthier sweet alternatives that companies can capitalise even while sugar and cocoa markets experience volatility. Yet despite emerging health trends, many producers remain hesitant to respond to consumers’ emerging tastes, primarily due to the complex processes involved in manufacturing sugar and cocoa alternatives.


Manufacturers that want to capitalise on these KennedysConfection.com AI supplier and risk management


Manufacturers should also explore alternative suppliers and sourcing from other regions in order to mitigate the impact of unfavourable weather conditions on crops. Indeed, it is always important for procurement teams to identify and monitor risks that can impact supply chains in addition to assessing alternative suppliers from different regions. By doing so, they can reduce their company’s


latest health trends for product development          intelligence (AI) to forecast future trends. For instance, manufacturers can access almost real-time industry insights and predictions by using sentiment analysis and natural language processing to automatically extract data from social media posts, restaurant menus and recipes. The resulting insights can be used to identify and capitalise on trends before they enter the wider public’s consciousness and source suitable suppliers in preparation for new products.


dependence on a single provider or location, especially if they are buying a commodity from an area with decreasing production. Additionally, manufacturers should map their dependence on suppliers. By performing a thorough evaluation of their supplier exposure, organisations can ensure that any decrease in production doesn’t severely affect their operations. For example, chocolate manufacturers should assess their reliance on Ghanaian and Ivorian suppliers, given ongoing  by accelerating research and suggesting suitable suppliers that manufacturers might not have worked with before.


Using a combination of AI and human intelligence (HI), procurement teams can also expediate ongoing risk management. Systems have now been developed to continuously monitor various risk factors such as geopolitical events and natural disasters. This enables teams to brace for pivotal events that may disrupt the supply chain in       plans accordingly. Overall, despite emerging trends and unprecedented weather changes, there are ways companies can respond to the constant shifts in both cocoa and sugar markets. By leveraging AI, companies can optimise supply chains, predict consumer preferences, and     balancing cost management with meeting customer expectations.


Kennedy’s Confection February 2025 21


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