Cargill and Voyage Foods are selling NextCoa, a chocolate alternative without cocoa, in the U.S., with Canada coming next. NextCoa can replace normal chocolate in regular manufacturing. It is plant-based, made from grape seeds, and does not have major allergens like dairy, soy, peanuts, or tree nuts. It is vegan, Kosher, and Halal. A study showed it has 67% less carbon footprint than regular chocolate.
NextCoa comes in two flavors: Mild (like milk chocolate) and Dark Mild (mix of dark and milk chocolate). It can be used in chocolate bars, baked goods, ice cream, coatings, and candies.
Cocoa prices have been unstable due to crop problems and climate issues in places like Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. NextCoa helps food makers avoid price problems and gives them more options.
Cargill said NextCoa is not replacing chocolate but giving more choices for flavors and making the food system stronger. Cargill will be the global distributor, and in the U.S., regional partners will handle distribution.
Voyage Foods, founded by Adam Maxwell, makes products that replace common ingredients while working with existing manufacturing equipment.
According to coherent market insights, the Premium Chocolate Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.6% from 2026 to 2033. Currently, the market is at USD 29.93 Bn in 2026 and is expected to be around USD 41.00 Bn by 2033. The premium chocolate market is witnessing several trends, including the rise of dark chocolate, often viewed as a healthier alternative due to its higher cocoa content, the incorporation of exotic and organic ingredients, and the growing popularity of single-origin chocolates sourced from specific cocoa regions.
“We built Voyage Foods to rethink how the world’s favorite foods are made. With Cargill, we can scale that vision, making our approach to chocolatey-like foods accessible to even more manufacturers,” said Maxwell. “The NextCoa line is about expanding choice, not replacing chocolate”
Source:
Press Release: Cargill
Company: Cargill