> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://thechocolatelife.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # November 2025 News & AMA | #PodSaveChocolate Ep 162 - URL: https://thechocolatelife.com/november-2025-news-ama-podsavechocolate-ep-162/ - Published: 2025-11-14T15:32:00.000Z - Updated: 2025-11-14T15:51:45.000Z - Description: Episode 162 of #PodSaveChocolate features chocolate news that’s fit to eat and AMA/Ask me Anything (about chocolate and cocoa) for November 2025. [updated] - Author: Clay Gordon - Tags: PodSaveChocolate, Live Stream, #Footnote **When and Where to Watch** 🗓️ This stream begins at 11:00 ****MST** (10:00 PST, 12:00 CST, 1:00 pm EST), on Friday, Nov 14th, 2025.. Links below to watch LIVE and to view the archived episode. [November 2025 News & AMA | #PodSaveChocolate Ep 162Episode 162 of #PodSaveChocolate features chocolate news that’s fit to eat and AMA/Ask me Anything (about chocolate and cocoa) for November 2025\. 🍫🍫🍫Visit…![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/favicon_144x144-50.png)YouTube![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/maxresdefault-40.jpg)](https://youtube.com/live/qrSZFi-NfhY?ref=thechocolatelife.com) Click on this (shareable) link to watch on YouTube. Please subscribe (free!) to the [@PodSaveChocolate YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@podsavechocolate/featured?ref=thechocolatelife.com), like this video, comment, and ****share** this episode to help grow the #PSC community. This ****LINKEDIN** link is shareable. [![CTA Image](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2025/05/LinkedInLogo.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/claygordon%5Fpodsavechocolate-lavidacocoa-thechocolatelife-activity-7394760186625900544-85DF?utm%5Fsource=share&utm%5Fmedium=member%5Fdesktop&rcm=ACoAAAABaLUB44l0lzyoZ9nf9Lg8nfstgzLqxbg) Watch and comment LIVE or view the archived episode on LinkedIn. Join my network on LinkedIn to receive notifications and to refer business to each other. [Watch this episode on LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/claygordon%5Fpodsavechocolate-lavidacocoa-thechocolatelife-activity-7394760186625900544-85DF?utm%5Fsource=share&utm%5Fmedium=member%5Fdesktop&rcm=ACoAAAABaLUB44l0lzyoZ9nf9Lg8nfstgzLqxbg) This ****FACEBOOK** link is shareabl [![CTA Image](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2025/05/FacebookLogo.png)](https://www.facebook.com/share/17jbXowabB/) Watch and comment LIVE or view the archived episode on ****TheChocolateLife page** on Facebook (for 30 days, then watch the archive on YouTube). Follow [TheChocolateLife on Facebook ](https://fb.me/thechocolatelife?ref=thechocolatelife.com)to receive notifications and catch up on other content. [Watch this episode on Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/share/17jbXowabB/) --- ## **Episode 162 Overview** In this episode: News that’s fit to eat for November, 2025! People participating live can Ask Me Anuything in the chat at any point during the episode. **News** topics lined up to be covered include: ### **The Ongoing Saga of the Cost of Cocoa** | **MARKETS** | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | [Futures Prices](https://www.barchart.com/futures/quotes/CC%2A0/futures-prices?ref=thechocolatelife.com) / [Futures Overview](https://www.barchart.com/futures/quotes/CC%2A0/overview?ref=thechocolatelife.com) – Barchart.com | | [Graph](https://tradingeconomics.com/commodity/cocoa?ref=thechocolatelife.com) – Trading Economics | | [ICCO Pricing Stats](https://www.icco.org/statistics/?ref=thechocolatelife.com#tab-id-1) | | **Breaking**: Whither the EUDR? –– *Negotiations are ongoing over targeted changes to implementation, but the European Commission’s latest position is to keep the core start date for medium and large operators at 30 December 2025*. A six‑month enforcement pause focused on support rather than penalties is proposed through June 2026\. Small/micro operators in low‑risk countries would start 30 December 2026 ... The EUDR uses the EU’s accounting size categories. A business is an SME if it meets at least two of these three: fewer than 250 employees, €50 m or less in net turnover, and €25 m or less in balance‑sheet total. | | **OTHER NEWS** | the TL;DR | | -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **News** | [Is the Global Cocoa Crisis driving up demand for alt-ingredients?](https://www.confectionerynews.com/Article/2025/11/11/demand-for-cocoa-alternatives-soars-amid-chocolate-crisis/?ref=thechocolatelife.com) | | **OpEd** | [BC spirals to the bottom?](https://www.confectionerynews.com/Article/2025/11/06/barry-callebaut-bets-on-cocoa-free-chocolate/?ref=thechocolatelife.com) | | **News** | [FDA Warning Letters](https://www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/blue-forest-farms-llc-711990-09112025?ref=thechocolatelife.com) | | **News?** | [Top Chocolate News from Google News](https://news.google.com/search?q=chocolate&hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en&ref=thechocolatelife.com) | | **News?** | [New FCIA website announced](https://www.finechocolateindustry.org/?ref=thechocolatelife.com) | | **Dates** | [Midwest Craft Chocolate Festval ](https://www.midwestcraftchocolatefestival.com/?ref=thechocolatelife.com) Nov 21-23 | | **Dates** | [CHOCOA 2026 day-by-day schedule announced](https://www.chocoa.nl/event?ref=thechocolatelife.com): Trade Fair (18–20 Feb); Festival (21–22 Feb) | --- ### **Closer Look** [Barry Callebaut Puts a Price Tag on Cocoa SustainabilityIn its Annual Social and Environmental Impact Report 2024-25, the world’s leading chocolate manufacturer revealed new research designed to quantify the true price of transforming cocoa farming into a climate-resilient, deforestation-free, and community-based system![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/sophie-LOGO-FINAL_WEB-5.png)From The Desk of CocoaRadar™Anthony Myers![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/BC-Forever-Chocolate-Progress-cocoapod.jpg)](https://cocoaradar.com/barry-callebaut-puts-a-price-tag-on-cocoa-sustainability/?ref=thechocolatelife.com) Does it, though? **Why critical reading – beyond the headline – is important.* The \[Annual Social and Environmental\] report \[[download](https://www.barry-callebaut.com/system/files/2025-11/Annual%20Social%20and%20Environmental%20Impact%20Report%202024%5F25%5F1.pdf?ref=cocoaradar.com) PDF\] details Barry Callebaut’s sustainability activities, KPIs, and governance under *Forever Chocolate*, but it does not present a consolidated, single-line annual “cost of sustainability programs.” > Financials shown are performance metrics (e.g., farmers supported, hectares, carbon removals, traceability) and select amounts like *Cocoa Horizons* \[a BC program\] premiums, VSLA savings/loans, and operational investments (renewables, logistics). Those are impact or funding flows, not a comprehensive expense total. The \[reporting refers to\] Barry Callebaut’s planned “Price Tag” study, a **North Star framework**\[\[1\]\] project that will estimate the true investment required to build a high‑yielding, deforestation‑free, climate‑resilient, community‑based cocoa system in Côte d’Ivoire, with conclusions targeted for *early 2026*. It does not present preliminary findings, datasets, or partial estimates from that research. > Op Ed: There is no **reliable** way to extrapolate costs from Côte d’Ivoire to other producing countries. \[\[1\]\]: Barry Callebaut uses “North Star” to describe its country-specific transformation blueprints for cocoa. There is no link in the report that points to a detailed methodology, and there is no indication that there will be an external, independent audit of the methodology or the results. --- ### **“Hot” Trends** [Top 5 Christmas confectionery trends 2025Top Christmas Confectionery Trends 2025: As the festive season kicks off, confectionery brands are tapping into five key trends - nostalgic treats with a modern twist, plant-based and better-for-you indulgences, bold global flavours, luxurious packaging, and playful seasonal shapes. From peppermint Kit Kats to adaptogen-infused chocolates, this year’s sweets blend comfort, creativity, and conscious indulgence.![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-180x180-24.png)ConfectioneryNews.comDonna Eastlake![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/E7QNRHBDUVCHLB7RSWQQIYBIXI.jpg)](https://www.confectionerynews.com/Article/2025/11/03/top-5-christmas-confectionery-trends/?ref=thechocolatelife.com) [Top 5 functional F&B ingredients trends for 2026This article explores five key functional ingredient trends shaping food and beverage innovation in 2026: Gut health, protein, mental wellness, longevity, and women’s health. It highlights how major brands are integrating science-backed ingredients into everyday formats - from probiotic confectionery and high-protein snacks to adaptogen-infused drinks and hormone-supporting elixirs - reflecting growing consumer demand for products that support holistic wellbeing.![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-180x180-23.png)ConfectioneryNews.comDonna Eastlake![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/CSWFKTALWBD5VMOJCXZG3D3DFU.jpg)](https://www.confectionerynews.com/Article/2025/11/05/top-5-functional-food-and-beverage-ingredients-trends-for-2026/?ref=thechocolatelife.com) [Why premium confectionery is the sweet spot for growthDiscover how premiumisation is transforming the global confectionery market, driving innovation, consumer demand, and a projected $68bn valuation by 2033.![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-180x180-25.png)ConfectioneryNews.comDonna Eastlake![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/thumbnail/67E4VP5WNRC27A2WI6NPPXWQEM.jpg)](https://www.confectionerynews.com/Article/2025/11/13/why-premium-confectionery-is-the-sweet-spot-for-growth/?ref=thechocolatelife.com) --- ### **Future Episodes** 🗓️ ****Tuesday November 18th** AI, Big Data, and the Future of Chocolate --- ### **Episode Hashtags** #News #AMA #AskMeAnything #cocoa #cacao #cacau #chocolate #chocolat #craftchocolate #PodSaveChoc #PSC #LaVidaCocoa #TheChocolateLife --- ### **#PodSaveChocolate and #TheChocolateLifeLIVE Archives** **To read an archived post** and find the links to watch archived episodes, click on one of the bookmark cards, below. [Pod Save Chocolate Calendar and ArchiveNews, views, and conversations on topics in cocoa and chocolate streamed live to YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook. #PodSaveChocolate!![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2020/12/JR_Pods60x60FavIconCutoutButtons.png)The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2023/11/TagImageBanner-PodSaveChocTagFinal_1920x1080-5.jpg)](https://thechocolatelife.com/pod-save-chocolate-calendar-and-archive/) [#TheChocolateLifeLIVE ArchiveNews, views, and conversations on topics in cocoa and chocolate streamed live to YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook.![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/size/w256h256/2020/12/JR_Pods60x60FavIconCutoutButtons.png)The Chocolate LifeClay Gordon![](https://thechocolatelife.com/content/images/2023/03/solen-feyissa-WG7v_wYZW4Q-unsplash-CalendarFeatured1920x1080.jpg)](https://thechocolatelife.com/thechocolatelife-live-calendar/) [PodSaveChocolateHosted by Clay Gordon, the creator and moderator of TheChocolateLife.com, #PodSaveChocolate covers a wide variety of topics in the worlds of cocoa and chocolate. The video versions of this podcast are hosted and archived on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Click on the PodSaveChocolate link in the top nav on TheChocolateLife for the links to the post accompanying each episode.![](https://pnc.st/static/img/256x256.png)Pinecast![](https://social.pinecast.net/preview_card/podcasts/covers/d3730dca-0711-4720-9ef3-3b18918c1f0d/TagImageBanner-PodSaveChocTagFinal_1920x1080.jpg?title=PodSaveChocolate)](https://pnc.st/s/podsavechocolate?ref=thechocolatelife.com) Audio-only podcasts --- ## Not a Member? Live The Chocolate Life – Live La Vida Cocoa! Sign up for Free to comment and receive members-only content. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. 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