Ice cream market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian ice cream market volume grew from 350 thousand tons in 2018 to 469 thousand tons in 2019, supported by the industry's adaptation to digital consumption habits such as home delivery and smartphone ordering, alongside rising consumer demand for high-quality ingredients and eco-friendly packaging. This growth was interrupted in 2020, with volume contracting to 426 thousand tons amid challenges linked to shifting consumption patterns and customer management.

After a sharp decline to 293 thousand tons in 2021, the market rebounded strongly to 465 thousand tons in 2022. This recovery occurred despite regulatory uncertainty over the definition of artisanal ice cream and significant increases in raw material costs for milk, chocolate, and fruit, which affected production expenses and pricing strategies across the sector.

Market volume then gradually declined to 432 thousand tons in 2023 and 382 thousand tons in 2024. During this period, EU regulations on refrigerants began to impact equipment manufacturers, while retail sales of packaged ice cream grew. The 2024 contraction was influenced by substantial production cost increases for milk, organic fruit additives, and packaging, even as demand for premium and artisanal frozen desserts remained steady and warmer weather due to climate change boosted consumption.

Production ice cream in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's ice cream production was valued at 1 167 million US dollars, marking a 3.9% decline compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 13.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 077 million US dollars, when production saw its sharpest drop of 19.8%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase, with production rising by 12.7%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Italy ranked third globally in ice cream production between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of ice cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of ice cream, 2017-2020

In 2020, Italy produced 458.5 thousand tonnes of ice cream, representing an 8.0% decrease from the year before. The lowest production volume was in 2018 at 391.9 thousand tonnes, which saw the most significant decline of 13.2%. Conversely, 2019 recorded the highest output at 498.2 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase of 27.1%.

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

Exports ice cream from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy exported 68 204 tonnes of ice cream in 2020, showing a 7.7% year-over-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 2.5%, averaging an annual decline of 0.8%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 63 326 tonnes, when exports fell by 16.9%. In 2018, exports peaked at 76 231 tonnes, with the largest increase of 9.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy's ice cream exports in volume terms were widely distributed across markets. Germany accounted for 16.4% of exports, the United Kingdom for 14.6%, and France for 13.3%, together making up 44.3% of total flows. The remaining 55.7% was spread among numerous other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Italy's ice cream exports totaled 276.4 million US dollars, reflecting a strong 13.4% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 6.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 243.8 million US dollars, when exports declined by 18.6%. Exports reached their highest point in 2018 at 299.3 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 15.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy's ice cream exports in value terms were highly diversified among partner countries. Germany represented 17.9% of exports, France 13.3%, and the United Kingdom 13.0%, collectively accounting for 44.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports ice cream to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Italy's ice cream imports in volume terms increased in 2020, reaching 35 637 tonnes, a 4.0% rise from the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 7.3%, with an average annual decline of 2.5%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 34 256 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with imports dropping by 9.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the leading source for Italy's ice cream imports in volume terms, accounting for 26.4%, followed by Spain at 15.5% and Belgium at 13.3%. Together, these three countries represented 55.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decrease, Italy's ice cream imports in value terms rose in 2020, totaling 119.2 million US dollars, an 8.4% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 3.5%, with an average annual decline of 1.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 109.9 million US dollars, when imports declined by 5.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, France, and Spain were the main sources for Italy's ice cream imports in value terms. Germany accounted for 25.8% of imports, France for 16.4%, and Spain for 14.2%, together making up 56.3% of total import flows.

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

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