Skip to main content
  1. Market Insights
  2. Consumer
  3. Food
  4. Confectionery & Snacks
  5. Confectionery

Ice Cream - Worldwide

Worldwide
  • Revenue in the Ice Cream market amounts to US$103.40bn in 2024. The market is expected to grow annually by 5.50% (CAGR 2024-2029).
  • In global comparison, most revenue is generated China (US$22bn in 2024).
  • In relation to total population figures, per person revenues of US$13.34 are generated in 2024.
  • In the Ice Cream market, volume is expected to amount to 24.39bn kg by 2029. The Ice Cream market is expected to show a volume growth of 2.6% in 2025.0.
  • The average volume per person in the Ice Cream market is expected to amount to 2.8kg in 2024.

Definition:

The Ice Cream market includes dairy ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet. This market only considers products made via industrial production. Handmade ice cream is not included. The key producers in this market are Unilever, Nestlé, and General Mills.

Additional Information:

The market comprises revenue and average revenue per capita, volume and average volume per capita, price per unit (unit refers to kilogram). The market encompasses retail sales through both online and offline sales channels to private end customers (B2C). The market only covers at-home consumption; out-of-home consumption is not included.

For more information on the displayed data, click the info button on the right side of each box.

In-Scope

  • Hard ice cream
  • Soft serve
  • Gelato, granita
  • Snow cream
  • Sorbet, sherbet
  • Frozen yogurt, custard, ice milk
  • Ice cream sandwiches, ice cream bars, ice cream cakes, ice cream cups, push-up pops
  • Kulfi, mochi ice cream, dondurma, paletas
  • Low-fat ice cream, no sugar added ice cream, Lactose-free ice cream

Out-Of-Scope

  • Handcrafted ice cream
  • Ice cubes
  • Crushed ice
  • Out-of-home consumption

Revenue

Notes: Data was converted from local currencies using average exchange rates of the respective year.

Most recent update: Sep 2024

Source: Statista Market Insights

Most recent update: Sep 2024

Source: Statista Market Insights

Volume

Most recent update: Sep 2024

Source: Statista Market Insights

Most recent update: Sep 2024

Source: Statista Market Insights

Price

Most recent update: Sep 2024

Source: Statista Market Insights

Global Comparison

Most recent update: Sep 2024

Source: Statista Market Insights

Analyst Opinion

The Confectionery & Snacks market, specifically the Ice Cream segment, has been experiencing minimal growth globally. Factors such as changing consumer preferences, rising health consciousness, and increasing competition from healthier alternatives are impacting this growth rate. However, the convenience and indulgence offered by ice cream continue to drive demand in the Confectionery market.

Customer preferences:
In recent years, the Ice Cream market in the Confectionery market has seen a rise in demand for healthier and more natural options. This trend is driven by consumer preferences for clean labeling, as well as a growing awareness of the health benefits of plant-based ingredients. Additionally, there has been a shift towards indulgent and premium ice cream flavors, as consumers seek unique and exotic taste experiences. This is evident in the increasing popularity of artisanal and small-batch ice cream brands, catering to the growing demand for high-quality, gourmet treats.

Trends in the market:
In the Ice Cream Market of the Confectionery Market, there is a rising trend of consumers seeking healthier and more indulgent options. This has led to a surge in demand for dairy-free and vegan ice cream, as well as premium, all-natural ingredients. Additionally, there is a growing interest in unique and exotic flavors, such as matcha and lavender. These trends are expected to continue, with industry players investing in product innovation and expanding their distribution channels to meet the evolving consumer preferences. This presents opportunities for collaboration and partnership across the value chain, as well as potential challenges for traditional ice cream manufacturers to adapt and compete in this changing landscape.

Local special circumstances:
In Japan, the Ice Cream market is heavily influenced by the country's unique cultural preferences and traditions. For example, matcha-flavored ice cream is extremely popular due to the Japanese tea ceremony and its significance in Japanese culture. Additionally, Japan's strict regulations on food safety and quality control play a significant role in shaping the market. The country's high standards and strict enforcement ensure that consumers have access to high-quality, safe ice cream products, creating trust and loyalty in the market.

Underlying macroeconomic factors:
The Ice Cream Market in the Confectionery Market of the Confectionery & Snacks Market within The Food market is heavily influenced by macroeconomic factors such as global economic trends, national economic health, fiscal policies, and financial indicators. For instance, countries with strong economic growth and stable fiscal policies are experiencing higher demand for ice cream products, as consumers have more disposable income to spend on indulgent treats. Additionally, the growing trend towards premium and artisanal ice cream products is driven by the increasing consumer preference for high-quality and unique food experiences. Furthermore, the rise in disposable income and changing consumer lifestyles, particularly in developing countries, is propelling the growth of the ice cream market. On the other hand, factors such as inflation, trade policies, and currency fluctuations can impact the price of raw materials and production costs, thereby affecting the overall market performance. Overall, the macroeconomic environment plays a crucial role in shaping the ice cream market, and countries with favorable economic conditions are likely to experience higher growth rates.

Methodology

Data coverage:

The data encompasses B2C enterprises. Figures are based on the total consumer spending on food, which comprises all private household spending on food that is meant for at-home consumption (out-of-home consumption is not accounted for).

Modeling approach:

Market sizes are determined through a top-down approach, building on specific predefined factors for each market segment. As a basis for evaluating markets, we use resources from the Statista platform as well as in-house market research, national statistical offices, international institutions, trade associations, companies, the trade press, and the experience of our analysts. In addition, we use relevant key market indicators and data from country-specific associations, such as GDP, consumer spending, and consumer price index. This data helps us estimate the market size for each country individually.

Forecasts:

In our forecasts, we apply diverse forecasting techniques. The selection of forecasting techniques is based on the behavior of the relevant market. For example, the exponential trend smoothing is well suited for forecasting the Food market with a projected steady growth. The main drivers are GDP per capita and consumer spending per capita.

Additional notes:

The data is modeled using current exchange rates. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war are considered at a country-specific level. The market is updated twice a year.

Key Market Indicators

Notes: Based on data from IMF, World Bank, UN and Eurostat

Most recent update: Sep 2024

Source: Statista Market Insights

Contact

Get in touch with us. We are happy to help.