Italy has surpassed Germany in terms of ice cream sales, accounting for 19% of total ice cream sales in Europe last year.
Italians consumed 595 million litres of ice cream last year, putting it ahead of Germany, which accounted for 515 million litres (16% of the EU total), France with 454 million litres (14%), Spain with 301 million litres and Poland with 264 million litres.
The figures come from an analysis by Italian farmers cooperative Coldiretti of Eurostat data, which also highlighted the 'de-seasonalisation' of ice cream consumption, with shoppers now turning to frozen snacks all year round.
Italians consume over 6 kilograms of ice cream per head per year. The Italian ice cream sector uses 220,000 tonnes of milk every year, 64,000 tonnes of sugar, 21,000 tonnes of fresh fruit and 29,000 tonnes of other raw materials.
While Italian consumers typically prefer artisanal 'gelato' style ice creams, there has been a growing trend for specialty products, such as those that tap into specific dietary needs.
Global Market
A separate study by CNA indicates that globally, the ice cream market is worth €15 billion and is growing at a rate of 4% per year.
Europe accounts for €9 billion in sale, with the Italian market worth €2 billion, with two-thirds of this market accounted for by artisanal products and one-third industrial production..
In 2016, Italian exports stood at €223 million, marking a decline in value of more than 16%. Conversely, Germany exported ice cream worth €401 million, just ahead of France (€398 million) and Belgium (€350 million).
The top 3 Italian cities in terms of the number of artisan ice cream parlours are Rome (1,400), Naples (933) and Milan (783).
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine
