Ice cream market in United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the US ice cream market volume initially dipped to 2.3 million tons in 2019 before recovering and growing steadily to 2.8 million tons by 2022. In value terms, the market expanded from $8.2 billion to $10.5 billion over the same period, indicating a rise in both consumption and average product value.

The market's expansion was propelled by increasing consumer demand for premium, artisanal, and health-oriented ice cream varieties, including lactose-free, low-sugar, and plant-based options. This trend encouraged major brands to innovate and was supported by investments in production capacity, such as The Ice Cream Factory's acquisition of a large manufacturing plant in Missouri in early 2022.

Further developments included the FDA's 2024 mandate for clearer sugar content disclosure on nutrition labels, which spurred product reformulation efforts by leading brands. Concurrently, private-label ice cream sales grew more rapidly than national brands, reflecting a shift in consumer preferences, while companies continued to launch new products like low-calorie and exotic flavor ranges to capture market interest.

Production ice cream in United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of ice cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of ice cream, 2017-2020

In 2019, ice cream production in the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, reached its lowest point at 2 360 K t, marking a 6.5% decline from the previous year. Production peaked in 2018 at 2 525 K t. By 2020, output recovered to 2 506 K t, showing a moderate 6.2% increase compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of ice cream production in the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, saw a controlled 8.3% rise in 2020, reaching 8 786 M $ US. This followed a 2.7% decline in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 13.7%, averaging a 4.4% annual increase.

Annual dynamics of production in United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports ice cream from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

Exports in kind, t

Ice cream exports from the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, declined for the second consecutive year. In 2019, exports fell by 3.6%, but in 2020, they remained virtually unchanged at 72 536 t. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 75 487 t, which represented a 10.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export volume grew by 5.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the export market for ice cream from the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, was diverse, with no single dominant partner. Mexico accounted for 28.9% of exports in volume, Australia for 9.0%, and Saudi Arabia for 8.2%, together making up 46.2% of total exports. Many smaller partners held modest individual shares.

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

World map of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Foreign ice cream supplies from the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 254.3 M $ US, up 1.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 20.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner portfolio for ice cream exports in value terms from the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, was quite broad. Mexico represented 22.3% of exports, Australia 10.2%, and Saudi Arabia 9.6%, together accounting for 42.0% of total flows, with no single market dominating.

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

World map of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020

Imports ice cream to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

Imports in kind, t

Foreign ice cream supplies to the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 38 294 t, showing a steep 30.8% year-over-year rise. From 2017 to 2020, import volume grew by 65.1%, averaging an 18.2% annual increase.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017-2020, Mexico, Canada, and South Korea formed the core group for ice cream imports in volume to the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Mexico accounted for 35.1% of imports, Canada for 10.4%, and South Korea for 9.5%, together representing 55.0% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, ice cream imports to the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, reached 139.3 M $ US, corresponding to an intense 66.0% increase compared to the previous year. This followed a 3.4% decline in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value surged by 108.2%, with an annualized rate of 27.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over the 2017-2020 period, the country breakdown of ice cream imports in value terms to the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, remained scattered. Canada accounted for 11.4% of imports, South Korea for 11.0%, and Italy for 9.5%, together making up just 31.9% of total flows, with no partner standing out as clearly dominant.

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

World map of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020