Ice cream market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The Russian ice cream market volume expanded from 433.7 thousand tons in 2018 to 507.2 thousand tons in 2021. This growth was interrupted in 2019 by a 5.3% drop in production, but resumed strongly in 2020 as shifting consumer preferences, including rising nostalgia for ice cream, boosted demand. Production reached a record high in 2021, supporting the market's expansion.

Market volume contracted to 466.5 thousand tons in 2022 due to broken international supply chains and sharp increases in the cost of key raw materials like cocoa powder and dairy fats. A cold summer further reduced seasonal consumption. A recovery followed in 2023, with volume rising to 526.6 thousand tons, driven by lower wholesale milk prices which allowed producers to increase output without raising retail prices, while domestic manufacturers expanded after the exit of foreign brands.

Growth continued in 2024 as the market volume reached 552.6 thousand tons, supported by increased production and a shift in consumer interest toward impulse purchase formats. By 2025, production stabilized at 570.2 thousand tons, indicating a plateau following several years of volatility and expansion.

Production ice cream in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Russia was among the world's leading ice cream producers from 2018 to 2021, ranking third globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of ice cream, 2018-2021

World map of production of ice cream, 2018-2021

Ice cream production in Russia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, Russia produced 528.8 thousand tons of ice cream, representing a strong 17.3% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production grew by 18.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 5.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 418.6 thousand tons, with the largest decline occurring that same year at 6.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports ice cream from Russia

Exports in kind, t

Ice cream exports from Russia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, Russia exported 33 067 tons of ice cream, which is 26.2% higher than the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports grew by 67%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 18.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main destinations for Russian ice cream exports in volume terms were Kazakhstan (37.6% of exports), the United States (15.5%), and Mongolia (8.7%). Together, these three countries accounted for 61.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of ice cream exports from Russia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 85 375 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 49.7% increase compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, export value grew by 81.2%, which corresponds to an annualized growth rate of 21.9%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, three main markets—Kazakhstan, the United States, and Mongolia—together accounted for 58.8% of the total value of ice cream exports from Russia.

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

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

Imports ice cream to Russia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, ice cream imports to Russia declined. In 2021, imports amounted to 18 097 tons, showing a modest 7.2% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 37.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 11.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 19 500 tons, with the largest increase occurring that same year at 31.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the main suppliers of ice cream to Russia in volume terms were Belarus (40.3% of imports), France (18.7%), and Ukraine (8.5%). Together, these three countries comprised 67.5% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, the value of ice cream imports to Russia declined. In 2021, imports amounted to 54 430 thousand US dollars, marking a 10.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, import value increased by 24.7%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 7.6%. The highest import value was recorded in 2020 at 60 869 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase occurring that same year at 27.2%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, three key markets—Belarus, France, and Kazakhstan—dominated ice cream imports to Russia in value terms, together accounting for 64.5% of total import flows.

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

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