Ice cream market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German ice cream market volume grew substantially in 2018 and 2019, reaching over 540,000 tons. This expansion was driven by intensified competition from private-label brands in retail and sustained consumer interest in innovative flavors, including reduced-sugar and lactose-free options. The period also saw a stabilization of production after previous declines, supported by a growing preference for premium and Fairtrade products.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 shifted demand toward affordable treats and accelerated the rise of plant-based and vegan ice cream segments. In subsequent years, high inflation became a key market driver, leading consumers to prioritize price and value, which contributed to a gradual decline in consumption volume to around 513,000 tons by 2022, despite ongoing product innovation in textures and flavors.

Market volume decreased further to 486,700 tons in 2023 but recovered to 503,600 tons in 2024. Over the full period, the market's value demonstrated strong growth, increasing from $641 million to $1,096 million, indicating a move toward higher-value products and price adjustments amid changing consumption patterns.

Production ice cream in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Ice cream production in Germany increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 976.8 million US dollars, reflecting a modest gain of 1.7% compared to the previous year. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 714.1 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 1.8%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 34.4%. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 34.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.3%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany maintained the second position globally in ice cream production volume.

Top producers of ice cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of ice cream, 2017-2020

Germany's ice cream production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 577.5 thousand tonnes of ice cream were produced, marking a 1.1% rise from 2019. Production hit its lowest level in 2018 at 444.6 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 4.5%. The most substantial increase was recorded in 2019, with growth of 28.5%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production expanded by 24%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 7.4%.

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

Exports ice cream from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Ice cream exports from Germany increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Germany exported 195.0 thousand tonnes of ice cream, representing a modest year-over-year rise of 5.3%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 27.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's ice cream export destinations were highly diversified. Austria accounted for 12.1% of exports in kind, France for 10.7%, and the Netherlands for 9.4%. Together, these three countries represented just 32.3% of total export flows, with the remaining 67.7% distributed across numerous other nations.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Ice cream exports from Germany increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Germany exported 602.9 million US dollars worth of ice cream, marking an 8.3% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 34.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.3%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Germany's ice cream exports in value terms were spread across a wide range of partner countries. France accounted for 11.4% of exports in value terms, Austria for 10.1%, and the United Kingdom for 8.9%. Collectively, these three nations represented just 30.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports ice cream to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany imported approximately 158.1 thousand tonnes of ice cream in 2020, which is 1.2% more than the previous year. Imports peaked in 2018 at 159.2 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 17.6%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 1.8%. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 16.8%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 5.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, France, and Poland were the main sources of ice cream imports to Germany in kind. Belgium accounted for 30.4% of imports in kind, France for 17.0%, and Poland for 12.6%. Together, these three countries absorbed 59.9% of total ice cream imports to Germany.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's ice cream imports stood at 425.3 million US dollars, showing only marginal fluctuation compared to the previous year. Imports reached their highest level in 2018 at 453.4 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 23.0%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 6.4%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 15.3%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of 4.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Belgium, France, and Poland formed the key group of partners for Germany's ice cream imports in value terms. Belgium accounted for 25.8% of imports in value terms, France for 17.1%, and Poland for 11.6%. Collectively, these three countries represented 54.5% of total import flows.

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

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