Market research

Ice cream market in Europe

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Europe" region includes following countries:

Albania

Andorra

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Croatia

Gibraltar

Greece

the Holy See

Italy

Malta

Montenegro

Portugal

San Marino

Serbia

Slovenia

Spain

North Macedonia

Bulgaria

Belarus

Czechia

Hungary

Moldova

Poland

Romania

Russia

Slovakia

Ukraine

Denmark

Estonia

Faroe Islands

Finland

Åland Islands

Iceland

Ireland

Latvia

Lithuania

Norway

Sweden

the United Kingdom

Isle of Man

Austria

Belgium

France

Germany

Liechtenstein

Luxembourg

Monaco

the Netherlands

Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

The French ice cream market volume grew from 3.1 million tonnes in 2018 to 3.5 million tonnes in 2019, driven by significant product innovation and a consumer shift toward premium, natural, and plant-based varieties. Major manufacturers like Unilever and Nestlé introduced new exotic flavors and textures, while rising demand for locally sourced and healthier options supported market expansion.

Market volume then contracted to 3.0 million tonnes in 2020 and further to 2.5 million tonnes in 2021, reflecting broader consumption challenges during the COVID-19 period.

A strong recovery followed, with volume reaching 2.8 million tonnes in 2022 and 3.1 million tonnes in 2023. This rebound was powered by record-level innovation—including 72 new product launches in 2023—and a marked de-seasonalization of consumption, with sales growing in traditionally off-peak months. Premiumization, the expansion of the artisanal segment, and continued consumer interest in reduced-sugar and vegan options further fueled market growth, even as rising costs for raw materials, energy, and transport led to higher prices.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Europe
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Europe in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Albania in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Albania by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Albania in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Albania by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Albania, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Albania by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Albania in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Albania by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Albania in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Albania by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Albania, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Albania by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Albania in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Albania by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Albania in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Albania by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Albania, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Albania by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Albania in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Albania by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Albania in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Albania by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Albania, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Albania by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production ice cream in Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of ice cream, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of ice cream, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Europe's ice cream production declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 3 533.9 K t, marking an 8.8% increase from the previous year. However, by 2020, production had fallen sharply to 2 592.2 K t, representing a 26.6% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 16.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 5.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.5%	8.8%	(26.6%)	(5.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, B $ US

In 2019, the value of ice cream production in Europe peaked at 109.4 B $ US, reflecting a significant 21.5% increase. By 2020, this value had contracted sharply to 79.5 B $ US, a 27.3% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, the total value of production decreased by 12.4%, with an average annual decline of 4.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Europe in value, 2017-2020, B $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(0.8%)	21.5%	(27.3%)	(4.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports ice cream from Europe

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited considerable volatility during these years. In 2018, exports peaked at 876.2 K t, showing an 80.0% increase. By 2020, exports had bottomed out at 261.0 K t, a steep 54.6% reduction year-over-year. The difference between the peak in 2018 and the low in 2020 was a factor of 3.4.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	80.0%	(34.4%)	(54.6%)	(18.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for ice cream exports in kind remained fragmented, with no single country dominating. Switzerland accounted for 1.2% of exports, China for 1.0%, and Kazakhstan for 0.9%, together making up only 3.1% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2018, the value of ice cream exports from Europe saw its largest increase at 17.5%. By 2019, exports experienced a modest decline of 3.1%. In 2020, exports totaled 3 495 M $ US, rising 6.7% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 21.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	17.5%	(3.1%)	6.7%	6.7%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, ice cream exports in value terms from Europe were not concentrated on a few key destinations. Switzerland represented 2.1% of exports, China 1.4%, and the United States 0.9%, jointly accounting for only 4.4% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports ice cream to Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2019, ice cream imports into Europe reached their lowest point at 582.7 K t, marking a 19.6% decline. In 2018, imports peaked at 724.6 K t. By 2020, imports had risen to 660.3 K t, showing a 13.3% increase compared to the previous year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	8.2%	(19.6%)	13.3%	(0.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2018, the value of ice cream imports into Europe saw its largest increase at 16.7%. By 2019, imports experienced a slight decline of 2.5%. In 2020, imports totaled 3 122 M $ US, increasing 5.6% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 20.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	16.7%	(2.5%)	5.6%	6.3%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and Switzerland were the main markets for ice cream imports into Europe in value terms, together accounting for 1.1% of total imports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io