The European ice cream market is projected to record a CAGR of 4.87% during the forecast period (2022-2027).

The European ice-cream market exhibited sluggish growth due to the economic slowdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. The government restrictions led to the shutdown of hotels, restaurants, and shops, affecting ice cream sales. On the other hand, owing to the lockdown, consumers spent more time at home. Also, various studies have depicted an increase in the sale of take-home ice creams by around 30% across the region.

Demand for ice creams that are low on fats, made using natural ingredients, yet do not compromise on taste and indulgence is growing. Germany and Russia are the biggest ice cream markets in Europe. Over the medium term, indulgence and the increasing consumer preference for ice cream as a leisure product drove the growth of this market, and new innovative flavors, offered by companies, further act as a catalyst for demand generation.

The demand for artisanal ice cream increased, which increased the demand for Italian ice creams. The key players in the market are expanding their reach to different countries in the region. In 2021, Barilla, an Italian food company, collaborated with Algida, a Unilever brand, to cater to the Italian customer base with a new range of ice creams.

Key Market Trends

Rising Demand for Healthy Ice Creams

Owing to a rise in the lifestyle diseases like obesity, diabetes, a growing preference for veganism, and increasing health-consciousness among consumers, ice creams without dairy ingredients are gaining momentum in the European market. For the consumers looking for a variety or following a special diet, there are more non-dairy ice creams and frozen treats available than ever before, with small brands and significant players offering low-calorie, vegan options and non-dairy versions of their classic flavors. For instance, in 2021, Unilever's Ben & Jerry's launched "Save Our Swirled Now" non-dairy ice cream as an addition to its plant-based ice cream portfolio. This new variant is a combination of coconut ice cream with chunks of chocolate and a cookie swirl. Non-vegan health-conscious individuals demand low-calorie and natural ingredients in ice creams. In 2020, Nick's, a Swedish ice cream brand, launched a range of low-calorie and sugar-free ice creams in Europe, catering to the segment of health-conscious individuals.

Increased Consumption of Artisanal Ice Cream in Europe

Increased consumption of artisanal ice cream is one of the driving factors for the European frozen desserts market. The consumer demand for artisanal ice cream is leading to the growth of the overall European ice cream market. Gelato forms a major segment of artisanal ice creams. Furthermore, Italian gelato is among the most popular ice cream variants extensively sold in the retail market. This is the reason why a majority of companies like Unilever, Nestle SA, and General Mills are focusing on extending their range of gelato ice creams, catering to the demand for artisanal ice creams. Some popular Italian ice cream flavors include Cioccolato, Pistacchio, Stracciatella, Mandorla, and Limone. For instance, Unilever-owned gelato brand Talenti released a new line by the name "Talenti Gelato Layers", offering vanilla fudge cookies, salted caramel truffle, chocolate cherry cheesecakes, black raspberry vanilla parfait, peanut butter vanilla fudge, mint fudge cookie, and dark chocolate cherry flavors.

Competitive Landscape

More companies, including Unilever, Nestle SA, General Mills, and Mars Inc., are collaborating with large e-commerce platforms to improve brand visibility, improve their market presence, and further increase their market share in the European region. This includes ice-cream giants making their own online portals active and catering to the requirements of the consumers effectively, including sales-promotion techniques such as discounts, offers, and other incentives for converting the majority of the customers into consumers.

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support

• 1 INTRODUCTION

  • 1.1 Study Deliverables and Study Assumptions

  • 1.2 Scope of the Study

• 2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

• 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• 4 MARKET DYNAMICS

  • 4.1 Market Drivers

  • 4.2 Market Restraints

  • 4.3 Porter's Five Forces Analysis

    • 4.3.1 Threat of New Entrants

    • 4.3.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers

    • 4.3.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

    • 4.3.4 Threat of Substitute Products

    • 4.3.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

• 5 MARKET SEGMENTATION

  • 5.1 By Product Type

    • 5.1.1 Artisanal Ice Cream

    • 5.1.2 Impulse Ice Cream

    • 5.1.3 Take-home Ice Cream

  • 5.2 By Category

    • 5.2.1 Dairy

    • 5.2.2 Non-dairy

  • 5.3 By Distribution Channel

    • 5.3.1 On-trade

    • 5.3.2 Off-trade

      • 5.3.2.1 Specialist Retailers
      • 5.3.2.2 Hypermarkets/Supermarkets
      • 5.3.2.3 Convenience Stores
      • 5.3.2.4 Online Retail Stores
      • 5.3.2.5 Other Distribution Channels

  • 5.4 Country

    • 5.4.1 Germany

    • 5.4.2 United Kingdom

    • 5.4.3 France

    • 5.4.4 Russia

    • 5.4.5 Spain

    • 5.4.6 Italy

    • 5.4.7 Rest of Europe

• 6 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

  • 6.1 Most Active Companies

  • 6.2 Market Share Analysis

  • 6.3 Key Strategies Adopted by Leading Companies

  • 6.4 Company Profiles

    • 6.4.1 Unilever PLC

    • 6.4.2 Nestle SA

    • 6.4.3 Talosto Shahty

    • 6.4.4 Mars Incorporated

    • 6.4.5 RUSSKIY KHOLOD

    • 6.4.6 Froneri International Limited

    • 6.4.7 Lotte Corporation

    • 6.4.8 Lotus Bakeries

    • 6.4.9 Inspire Brands Inc

    • 6.4.10 General Mills Inc

• 7 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS

• 8 IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON THE MARKET