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Divine Chocolate

Divine Chocolate recently announced it is merging its US and UK businesses to "strengthen" its structure and gain a "wider consumer reach". The news will see the dots joined between Divine's businesses on either side of the pond. Sophi Tranchell, who headed up the UK business and has taken over as group CEO, spoke to just-food about how the move will benefit the company and where Divine plans to grow its global premium chocolate business.

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UK-based Divine Chocolate was one of the first Fairtrade-only FMCG brands when it launched in 1998. However, the entry of larger, mainstream companies into the category, while increasing awareness of Fairtrade and boosting sales, has had an impact on the specialists. Divine commercial director David Francis spoke to Dean Best about competition, retail support for Fairtrade and the promotional battle in the UK.

This week's round-up of the most notable product development from the international food sector includes PepsiCo taking Quaker into the chilled aisle in the US and Aldi's latest NPD offensive in the country.

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Divine Chocolate, the UK-based ethical chocolate maker, has added Turkey to its roster of international markets - and is set to enter China as part of a fresh push in Asia.

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UK ethical chocolate maker Divine Chocolate, which is co-owned by Ghanaian farmers's co-operative Kuapa Kokoo, has reported a jump in annual profits despite lower sales.

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This week, Nestle said it was withdrawing its Maggi noodle brand in India after a food safety scare that has seen local authorities insist the product has elevated levels of lead. Elsewhere, Abbott Laboratories was tied up in a class action lawsuit over its Similac product with allegations it is misleading consumers since the product contains non-organic ingredients. Elsewhere Nomad Holdings confirmed it is in acquisition talks with Findus Group. just-food visited the Free-From Expo in Barcelona this week and spoke to Warburtons among others. We also interviewed the CEO at Divine Chocolate. Here is the week in quotes

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Fears of a major upcoming cocoa shortage have made the chocolate industry sit up and take note. Most mainstream cocoa users have focused on the question of how to increase yields but Divine Chocolate CEO Sohpi Tranchell believes such an emphasis fails to go far enough.

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A busy week for results as the first-quarter reporting season got into full swing. We heard from global food manufacturers as far afield as Latin American and Russia, with the likes of Sigma Alimentos owner Alfa and Cherkizovo Group updating the markets. Here is just-food's weekly financial round up.

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Divine Chocolate is merging its US and UK businesses in a bid to "strengthen" its structure and gain a "wider consumer reach".

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Fairtrade chocolate company Divine Chocolate has announced listings at a number of US mainstream retailers.

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UK Fairtrade specialist Divine Chocolate is to be re-listed at The Co-operative Group's stores.

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Dairy featured heavily in our headlines last week. We interviewed Fonterra's CFO about the New Zealand giant's half-year results and plans for emerging markets. Swiss peer Emmi published its annual figures and we spoke to its international boss about its plans outside its domestic market. Meanwhile, in the UK, Greek yoghurt producer Fage won its court battle with rival Chobani over how the US firm labels its products here.

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Last week, just-food grilled a number of top executives on their growth plans and strategy for the future. Fonterra CFO Jonathan Mason told how the New Zealand dairy giant is exploiting increased demand for dairy in emerging markets. The head of Emmi's international business talked about international sales targets. And Divine Chocolate's commercial director told us about how it is facing pressure on Fairtrade specialists.

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UK Fairtrade chocolate specialist Divine Chocolate has called for buyers to have "ethical" targets.