LONDON CHOCOLATE FORUM REVIEW 2026


LONDON CHOCOLATE FORUM 2026: AN INDUSTRY AT A TURNING POINT


From cocoa supply and farmer livelihoods to craft chocolate, changing consumer behaviour and experiential retail, the London Chocolate Forum 2026 brought the industry together to examine the challenges and opportunities shaping chocolate’s future.


T


he London Chocolate Forum 2026 brought together voices from across the chocolate value chain to examine an industry


navigating extraordinary pressures. Across a programme spanning cocoa production, sustainability, consumer trends and retail innovation, one message emerged consistently: securing chocolate’s future will require collaboration, commercial pragmatism and a willingness to challenge established thinking. Martin Gilmour, Director of Chase


Cocoa Consulting, set the scene with an assessment of global cocoa production, contrasting declining output in West Africa with the expansion of intensive cocoa farming in South America. His warning of potential shortages and persistently high prices provided a sobering backdrop to the day. Nicko Debenham, Managing Director


of Sustainability Solutions, examined the commercial implications of the EU Deforestation Regulation and the growing importance of farm- level traceability. Dr Jason Archie-Acheampong of the Fairtrade Foundation reinforced the need for longer-term sourcing commitments and investment to help farmers build resilience. Innovation offered another perspective on the industry’s challenges. Andy Clayton of Fermtech explored the potential of Koji Cocoa, made using cocoa shells, highlighting opportunities to create value from alternative ingredients while rethinking established approaches to cocoa production. The importance of collaboration also came


through in Isobel Carse’s contribution. Founder of Dormouse Chocolates and chair of the Craft Chocolate Makers Association UK and Ireland, Carse discussed the need for independent makers to have a stronger collective voice. With the association launched in January 2026,


the discussion highlighted the importance of representing craft chocolate, sharing knowledge and championing quality and provenance in an increasingly challenging market. Consumer behaviour formed another


important thread. Charlotte Radcliffe examined the implications of GLP-1 medications for chocolate consumption, while Tony Hunter considered Generation Alpha and the influence of artificial intelligence. David Greenwood- Haigh explored ethical sourcing and producer relationships, underlining the importance of meaningful connections between chocolate businesses and the communities responsible for its production. The programme also considered how businesses can create new reasons for consumers


20 • KENNEDY’S CONFECTION • OCTOBER 2026


to engage with chocolate. James Holah of Hotel Chocolat discussed experiential retail, including the Velvetiser Café and store environments designed around discovery, hospitality and provenance. His presentation demonstrated how the in-store experience can complement the product itself, giving consumers new ways to connect with chocolate and its origins. Taken together, the presentations


showed how closely these issues are connected. Supply pressures influence prices; regulation changes sourcing decisions; farmer livelihoods affect production resilience; and evolving


consumer behaviour challenges businesses to reconsider their products and propositions. Collaboration across the value chain will be essential to navigating these pressures. “I believe the event’s value lies in bringing


these perspectives together. Open discussion between producers, manufacturers, retailers, sustainability specialists and innovators creates


opportunities to


challenge


assumptions and identify practical ways forward,” commented Kiran Grewal, Editor of Kennedy’s Confection. “Thank you to our speakers, sponsors,


exhibitors and delegates for contributing to the 2026 forum. We are already looking ahead to next year, and we want the industry to help lead the conversation.” If you have a keynote suggestion or a subject you believe deserves a place on the programme, please contact our Editor on kgrewal@kennedys.co.uk. For sponsorship and exhibitor enquiries for the London Chocolate Forum 2027,


contact Gary Smythson


on gsmythson@kennedys.co.uk. Early conversations will help us build a programme that reflects the questions the industry most needs to address.


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