INDUSTRY NEWS Cordillera expands women’s cocoa farmer programme


Cordillera Chocolate is expanding its ATENEA women’s empowerment programme,


with community


consultations under way in Colombia’s Magdalena and Cesar departments ahead of two new cohorts beginning in January 2027. Approximately six cocoa-farming


associations are expected to participate in the 12- to 14-month programme, which follows the graduation of more than 100 women from ATENEA’s second cohort in Córdoba earlier this year. Launched in


training financial


in 2023, ATENEA provides chocolate


management,


entrepreneurship, leadership


and


sustainable cocoa production, helping rural women develop businesses and strengthen their role in the cocoa value chain. The October consultations bring women


together cocoa farmers,


community representatives and local stakeholders to identify priorities and


shape the upcoming curriculum. “It’s not about us. It’s about them. So, it’s


essential to first understand their reality in order to evaluate the relevance of what they will discover and how it will impact their lives over the year,” said Jorge León, sustainability manager at Cordillera Chocolate. The Córdoba cohort received 376 hours


of training, delivered with support from SENA,


Colombia’s National Learning


Service, and Développement International Desjardins (DID). The programme covered chocolate processing, food safety,


Halloween candy prices rise 57% in a decade


The price of candy


and chewing gum in the US has risen by 57% since 2016, according to research by prop trading firm FundedFast, with some popular Halloween treats increasing by almost 90% or more. Using US Bureau of Labor


Statistics Consumer Price Index data and historical grocery retailer prices, the study found that Butterfinger bars have more than doubled in price, rising 101.3% from $0.78 to $1.57. M&M’s Peanut Fun Size Halloween candy increased by 89.6%, while Sour Patch Kids rose 90.2% per ounce, despite a reduction in pack size. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups


increased by 83.9%, Snickers by 79.9% and Skittles by 79.5% per ounce between


business development, financial inclusion, leadership and sustainable farming practices. The


entrepreneurship module


supported the development of eight business ventures, while a financial education module saw 110 participants graduate. Practical agricultural sessions addressed agroforestry, crop nutrition, pruning and integrated pest management. Sayuri Roqueme, a member of the Activa


G10 association in Tierralta, Córdoba, said: “With Atenea, we discovered that we, as women, have the strength to provide for our families, improve our livelihoods, and above all, create a better future for our communities and territory”. Delivered in partnership with the


Procurement and Agricultural Development Department of Compañía Nacional de Chocolates, ATENEA supports gender equality, education, rural enterprise and sustainable cocoa production.


Kerry reports strong growth driven by


foodservice innovation Kerry Group has reported strong volume growth and improved margins in the third quarter of 2026, supported by innovation in foodservice and product renovation across retail markets. The taste and nutrition company recorded volume


2016 and 2026. The research also estimated


the cost of hosting a Halloween party for 10 guests, including food, drinks, decorations and tableware. With one host purchasing a new costume, the total reaches approximately $225. Buying new costumes for all guests pushes the cost to around $540. Andrea Faleburle, CEO of


FundedFast, said rising prices could


their Halloween spending. encourage households


to invite fewer guests, reuse costumes


and reconsider


growth of 4.1% in Q3, with growth across all three regions, led by the Americas and Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA). Year-to-date volume growth reached 3.6%, outperforming end markets. EBITDA margins expanded by 50 basis points, primarily driven by the company’s Accelerate 2.0 business transformation programme. However, adverse currency movements contributed to a 0.6% decline in reported year-to-date revenue. Kerry continued investing in taste and


biotechnology-enabled solutions, alongside initiatives to optimise its manufacturing footprint and improve digital capabilities. Edmond Scanlon, chief executive officer of Kerry


Group, said: “The volume growth achieved in the third quarter reflects very strong growth in the Americas, a further step-up in APMEA and good growth in Europe. Growth in the period was led by good innovation activity in the foodservice channel and continued product renovation activity in the retail channel.”


6 • KENNEDY’S CONFECTION • OCTOBER 2026


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