Nestlé looks to cocoa-free ChoViva to future-proof confectionery portfolio

Nestlé has partnered with German food-tech company Planet A Foods to introduce the cocoa-free chocolate alternative ChoViva into its confectionery portfolio, marking a strategic move to diversify ingredients and future-proof product development amid volatility in global cocoa markets.

The collaboration will see Nestlé Germany launch a new Choco Crossies “Snack Vibes” range in April 2026, using ChoViva as the coating ingredient in the snack line. The products will be available in three varieties — Classic, Hazelnut and Salted Popcorn Caramel — and sold in 100g snack bags aimed at younger consumers.

ChoViva is a cocoa-free ingredient developed by Planet A Foods that replicates the taste and texture of chocolate using fermented and roasted sunflower seeds combined with plant-based fats, grape seed flour and sugar.

The partnership reflects a growing effort to secure alternative ingredient strategies as the chocolate sector faces rising costs and supply-chain uncertainty.

Cocoa prices surged to more than $11,900 per metric tonne in late 2024, driven by climate impacts and production challenges in key growing regions.

By incorporating ChoViva into a mainstream brand, Nestlé is testing how cocoa-free ingredients can complement conventional chocolate while reducing reliance on volatile raw material supply chains.

Planet A Foods says the ingredient has already gained traction across the industry, now appearing in more than 120 products across 10 countries, including branded and private-label applications.

Beyond supply resilience, the partnership also highlights how large manufacturers are using novel ingredients to unlock new consumer segments.

Nestlé developed the Snack Vibes range specifically for Gen Z consumers, positioning the products as indulgent snack moments designed to deliver sensory appeal and differentiation in a crowded confectionery market.

For Planet A Foods, the collaboration demonstrates how ingredient innovation can help major brands expand portfolios while maintaining familiar taste experiences.

The company positions ChoViva as a scalable platform ingredient capable of replacing cocoa in a wide range of applications while enabling manufacturers to develop products with a lower environmental footprint and shorter supply chains.

ChoViva is produced using fermentation and roasting processes adapted from traditional chocolate production, enabling manufacturers to achieve a similar flavour profile without cocoa beans.

The ingredient is made from locally available crops such as sunflower seeds, allowing supply chains to shift away from tropical sourcing regions while maintaining chocolate-like taste and texture.

As cocoa markets remain under pressure from climate change, disease and geopolitical instability, cocoa-free ingredients such as ChoViva are increasingly being explored as complementary solutions rather than direct replacements for traditional chocolate.