Ice cream market in Czechia

Earlier Report Observations

Prior to the pandemic, the Czech ice cream market was characterized by reducing seasonality and the dominance of soft-serve ice cream, which accounted for over 80% of sales and spurred investments in professional machinery. However, in 2020, production fell to 32 651 t and market volume dropped to 46 598 t as COVID-19 restrictions disrupted consumption and operations.

The market rebounded in 2021, with volume rising to 51 036 t, supported by the introduction of protein and vegan varieties such as Míša protein and Magnum Vegan that appealed to health-conscious consumers. In 2022, while physical volume slipped to 48 653 t, market value grew to 118.7 million USD, driven by a shift toward premium products and the growing presence of discount chains, alongside stricter quality inspections that reinforced food safety standards.

Growth continued in 2023, with market volume reaching 58 506 t and value 143.5 million USD, fueled by innovations like gluten-free cup ice cream from Czech producer Zmrzlina z Opočna and an industry-wide emphasis on sustainable packaging. By 2024, production had climbed to 53 279 t and market value to 153.9 million USD, reflecting sustained demand and product diversification.

Production ice cream in Czechia

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, Czechia's ice cream production rebounded. In 2021, the output was valued at 71 264 thousand US dollars, marking a year-over-year increase of 9.3%. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 12.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 65 202 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 10.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Czechia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Czechia ranked 15th globally in ice cream production volume.

Top producers of ice cream, 2018-2021

World map of production of ice cream, 2018-2021

After a two-year decrease, Czechia's ice cream production saw an upturn. In 2021, the country produced 34 571 tonnes of ice cream, showing a gradual gain of 5.9% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, production decreased by 21.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 32 651 tonnes, and the largest decline was in 2019, with a drop of 17.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports ice cream from Czechia

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, exported ice cream volumes from Czechia increased. In 2021, Czechia exported 12 938 tonnes of ice cream, remaining nearly unchanged year-over-year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 4.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 12 879 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 3.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Slovakia, Germany, and Poland were the principal destinations for Czechia's ice cream exports in kind, accounting for 63.4%, 9.4%, and 6.1% of exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 78.8% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Czechia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Czechia's ice cream export volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 42 630 thousand US dollars, down by 2.2% compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 12%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Czechia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, three main markets—Slovakia, Germany, and Poland—together absorbed 76.7% of the total value of ice cream exports from Czechia.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Czechia in value, 2018-2021

Imports ice cream to Czechia

Imports in kind, t

Ice cream deliveries to Czechia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 29 403 tonnes, amounting to a year-over-year increase of 9.6%. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 13%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 25 947 tonnes, with the largest decline also occurring in that year, at 0.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Czechia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Poland, Germany, and Hungary remained the principal suppliers of ice cream to Czechia in kind, accounting for 30.7%, 23.1%, and 12.2% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 66.0% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Czechia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Ice cream imports to Czechia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports registered 80 134 thousand US dollars, indicating a year-over-year uptick of 10.5%. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 13.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Czechia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Poland, Germany, and France formed the core group of markets for Czechia's ice cream imports in value terms, accounting for 28.5%, 20.3%, and 14.9% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 63.7% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Czechia in value, 2018-2021