France leads EU ice-cream exports as shipments rise 10% in 2025

France retains the lead over Italy

France remained the European Union’s largest exporter of ice cream to markets outside the bloc in 2025, according to Eurostat data reported by Patrasevents.gr. French shipments reached 59.1 million kilograms, representing about 20% of all EU ice-cream exports to non-member countries.

Italy ranked second with 55.2 million kilograms and a share of approximately 19%. The gap between the two countries was 3.9 million kilograms, showing that Italy’s strong association with gelato has translated into a major international presence but not the top position by export volume. Belgium placed third with 34.5 million kilograms, or 12% of the EU total. Germany exported 29.9 million kilograms, equal to 10%, while the Netherlands completed the top five with 26.5 million kilograms and a share of about 9%.

Five countries control about 70% of shipments

Together, France, Italy, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands accounted for about 70% of EU ice-cream exports to third countries. The concentration indicates that access to external markets is led by a relatively small group of European production and distribution bases. For processors and international buyers, the figures also identify the countries most exposed to changes in demand beyond the EU.

EU member states exported approximately 289.8 million kilograms of ice cream to non-EU markets in 2025. That was 10% more than in 2024 and represented an additional volume of about 26 million kilograms within one year. Export growth was considerably faster than the increase in output, indicating that foreign sales absorbed a larger part of the sector’s incremental supply.

Imports also expanded. EU countries purchased 77.8 million kilograms of ice cream from outside the bloc, an increase of 12%, or about 8.5 million kilograms, from the previous year. Despite the faster percentage rise in imports, the EU still exported nearly four times as much ice cream as it imported. The balance underlines the European industry’s position as a substantial net supplier to international markets.

Production grows while Greece remains import-dependent

The EU produced 3.44 billion litres of ice cream in 2025, compared with 3.38 billion litres in 2024. The 1.9% annual increase was positive but substantially below the 10% expansion in exports. This divergence gives producers a clear commercial signal: growth outside the bloc was stronger than growth in overall manufactured volume, increasing the importance of export channels for factories seeking additional sales.

Greece occupied a different position from the leading exporters. It shipped about 8.3 million kilograms in 2025 but imported approximately 19.5 million kilograms. Imports were therefore more than double exports, and the difference exceeded 11 million kilograms. Patrasevents.gr linked the presence of imported products in Greece to domestic demand supported by tourism, high temperatures and strongly seasonal consumption, despite local production.

The 2025 data place France narrowly ahead of Italy while also showing a broader rise in European trade. For producers, the central competitive issue is not only national reputation but the ability to supply large volumes through established international channels. For importers and distributors outside the EU, France and Italy remain the two largest sources, while Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands provide a substantial second tier of supply.