Ice cream market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

The ice cream market in the CIS began the period in 2018 with a volume of 463.5 thousand tons. It experienced a contraction to 440.5 thousand tons in 2019 before recovering to 460.5 thousand tons in 2020.

A sharp expansion to 539.0 thousand tons occurred in 2021, driven by a broad market recovery and a strengthening consumer trend towards higher-protein ice cream and plant-based alternatives. The following year, the market size fell to 469.8 thousand tons, a shift largely attributed to the impact of international sanctions and currency fluctuations, which increased production costs and final prices.

Market volume rebounded to 539.9 thousand tons in 2023, supported by double-digit sales growth in Siberian, Far Eastern, Ural, and Volga regions alongside rising popularity of cones, popsicles, and sherbet. Preliminary data for 2024 indicates continued growth, estimated at 7.2% in the first half of the year, fueled by the active development of the health and wellness segment—including protein-enriched, naturally sweetened, and plant-based ice cream—as well as increased output from major manufacturers and small producers exploring craft and organic niches.

Production ice cream in CIS

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of ice cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of ice cream, 2017-2020

In 2020, CIS countries produced 464 055 tonnes of ice cream, representing a 6.5% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 13.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 465 061 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 6.3%, while the most significant increase was seen in 2018, rising by 13.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in CIS in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of ice cream production in CIS countries reached 3 000 million US dollars, showing a solid increase of 18.6% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 32.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.8%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a decrease of 5.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in CIS in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports ice cream from CIS

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, CIS countries exported 18 614 tonnes of ice cream, up by 15.1% from the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 16 166 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 20 140 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 19.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from CIS in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, ice cream exports from CIS countries were relatively evenly distributed across markets. Mongolia accounted for 6.3% of exports in kind, Ukraine for 5.5%, and Iraq for 5.5%, with these three countries together representing only 17.3% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from CIS in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Ice cream exports from CIS countries increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 95.7 million US dollars, marking a 9.0% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 30.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from CIS in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

An analysis of ice cream exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across many markets. Mongolia accounted for 6.4% of exports in value terms, Ukraine for 6.2%, and China for 5.2%, with these three countries together representing only 17.9% of total flows. The remaining 82.1% was distributed among numerous other trading partners.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from CIS in value, 2017-2020

Imports ice cream to CIS

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a two-fold difference between these years. In 2020, ice cream deliveries to CIS countries were recorded at 15 089 tonnes, down by 28.5% year-on-year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 21 103 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 74.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to CIS in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner landscape for ice cream imports in kind was wide. France accounted for 9.6% of imports in kind, Ukraine for 9.1%, and Switzerland for 2.8%, with these three countries together forming only 21.5% of total import flows. The substantial remaining 78.5% was supplied by many other countries.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to CIS in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Ice cream imports to CIS countries increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 104.8 million US dollars, marking a notable uptick of 17.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 53.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 15.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to CIS in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, ice cream was supplied to CIS countries from a broad set of markets. France accounted for 13.3% of imports in value terms, Ukraine for 7.0%, and Switzerland for 5.3%, with these three countries together representing only 25.5% of total imports in value terms. Many smaller destinations formed the remaining 74.5%.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to CIS in value, 2017-2020