EUDR cocoa sector dissent?

As the EUDR deadline for large companies fast approaches, food giant Mondelēz International has called for a (further) one-year delay in the implementation of the law. Posting on LinkedIn, Mondelēz’s vice president for communications has revealed that the company supports the principles of the EUDR but stresses that policymakers must account for on-the-ground realities. From soaring prices to declining production, Mondelēz highlights the pressures for smallholder farmers and is calling for a delay to ensure that implementation of the regulation is effective and inclusive. 

But the cocoa sector is certainly not united in its approach to EUDR. In response to Mondelēz, a coalition of alliances and organisations including Ferrero, Nestlé and Tony’s Chocolonely have written a letter to the European Commission calling for the preservation and implementation of the EUDR. The letter argues that any further delays would damage the credibility of EU institutions, worsen legal uncertainty, increase operational cost, and create confusion. 

New research by consulting firm McKinsey suggests younger generations are driving demand for sustainable packaging, even as price and quality remain the top priorities for most consumers. The survey conducted in early 2025, with over 11,000 respondents across 11 countries, shows that Gen Z, millennials, and higher-income groups are the most willing to pay more for sustainable options.

While sustainability still ranks below cost and product quality for many, younger consumers are pushing the green agenda. In Germany, for example, only 8% of all respondents said they’d pay significantly more for sustainable packaging. Diving deeper into this statistic, just 1% of high-income Gen X-ers said they would pay more. In contrast, 25% of high-income millennials said they’d be willing to pay more.

The research also highlights global disagreement over which materials are considered most sustainable. Glass and paper score highly across most countries, but there are discrepancies; PET bottles rank second in Sweden and Japan, while in Brazil, liquid cartons are seen as one of the most sustainable options.

Crucially, the survey reports that consumers globally do not care less about the environment today than they did in the past.  What has changed is that consumers care more about value for money.

China is driving the global surge in renewable energy. According to data from the NGO Global Energy Monitor, nearly 75% of all solar and wind projects currently under construction are located in China. In the first quarter of 2025, solar and wind power made up nearly 23% of the country’s electricity consumption, according to China’s National Energy Administration; a welcome development given China’s high level of greenhouse gas emissions.

Meanwhile, Europe has reached a key milestone. In June 2025, Poland generated more electricity from renewables than from coal for the first time. According to the Financial Times and Warsaw-based think-tank Forum Energii, renewables accounted for around 44% of Poland’s electricity, while coal fell to 43%. Whilst this percentage difference seems small, it's a significant shift from 2024, when coal supplied roughly 60% of the country's power.

Both milestones come at a time when the Trump administration appears to be rolling back climate ambition. The US president has signed orders to eliminate subsidies for wind and solar, a move that's raised concerns among environmentalists globally and puts additional pressure on other major economies to step up and fill the gap in clean energy leadership. 

Could traditional dairy milk be making a comeback? News organisation Food Navigator reports that despite plant-based milk’s significant growth over recent years, driven by health, animal welfare, and environmental concerns, recent trends indicate a slowdown in sales. There are signs of strain in the market: plant-based milk brand Mighty Drinks has gone into administration and Arla Foods has decided to discontinue its plant-based Jörd line in the UK.

Meanwhile, dairy milk is experiencing a resurgence after years of decline. Consumer uncertainty around the health benefits of plant-based milks is prompting a return to traditional dairy. Concerns over nutrient intake, especially for children, along with issues such as blood sugar control, are influencing this shift. There’s also a growing perception that dairy products are less processed than some plant-based options. 

The rise of hybrid milk products, combining both dairy and plant-based elements, is gaining traction. Major brands are entering this space, offering a compromise for consumers seeking perceived benefits from both categories.