Ice Cream Market Report 2026

The ice cream market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $43.9 billion in 2025 to $46.29 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of urban consumer lifestyles, rising disposable income levels, growth of frozen dessert retailing, increasing availability of cold storage infrastructure, popularity of impulse dessert consumption.

The ice cream market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $59.13 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for plant-based desserts, rising innovation in low-sugar formulations, expansion of online frozen food delivery, growing focus on sustainable packaging, increasing premiumization of frozen desserts. Major trends in the forecast period include rising demand for premium and artisanal ice cream, growing popularity of non-dairy and plant-based ice cream, expansion of novel and exotic flavor profiles, increasing focus on clean-label ingredients, enhanced packaging and cold chain innovation.

Rising consumer expenditure on fast food is expected to drive the growth of the ice cream market in the coming years. Consumer expenditure on fast food refers to the total amount spent by individuals and households on fast food items. Fast food and ice cream are both considered convenient indulgences that appeal to similar customer preferences. Fast food restaurants often offer ice cream as a dessert option, making it easy for customers to include it in their purchases. Additionally, the growing café culture among millennials has contributed to higher spending on fast food. For example, in August 2024, the Economic Research Service (ERS), a US-based principal agency of the USDA, reported that per capita spending on food away from home (including fast food) in the United States increased by 12% from 2022 to 2023, rising from $4,004 to $4,485 per person. Therefore, the increasing consumer expenditure on fast food is expected to support growth in the ice cream market.

Key companies in the ice cream market are focusing on product innovations, such as plant-based and low-calorie options, to provide healthier alternatives while maintaining the traditional indulgence of ice cream. Mochi ice cream, a Japanese dessert made of small ice cream balls wrapped in chewy sweet rice dough, offers a unique texture and flavor combination. For instance, in March 2023, Mochidoki, a US-based ice cream company, expanded its mochi ice cream retail footprint to 40 Amazon Fresh delivery regions, offering five popular flavors: Vanilla Chip, Strawberry, Cake Batter, Vegan Mango, and Vegan Passionfruit.

In January 2025, Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP, a US-based investment management firm, acquired YSCO for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition is aimed at accelerating Davidson Kempner’s strategy to build a leading global third-party ice cream manufacturing platform by combining scale, production capacity, and retailer relationships. YSCO NV, based in Belgium, specializes in producing private-label ice cream products.

Major companies operating in the ice cream market are Nestle S.A., Unilever Group Plc, General Mills Inc., Blue Bell Creameries LP, Cold Stone Creamery Inc., American Dairy Queen Corporation, Lotte Confectionery Co Ltd, Inspire Brands Inc., Turkey Hill Dairy LP, Wells Enterprises Inc., NadaMoo! R&D Room LLC, Mars Inc., Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co Ltd, Froneri International Limited, Tillamook CCA, Amul, Amy's Ice Creams, Agropur Dairy Cooperative, Arla Foods AMBA, Chapman's, Prairie Farms Dairy Inc., Giffords Dairy Inc., Van Leeuwen Ice Cream, Adirondack Creamery Inc., Yasso Inc., Graeter's Ice Cream, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, Humphry Slocombe, Coolhaus, Ben & Jerry's Homemade Holdings Inc., Häagen-Dazs, Baskin Robbins.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the ice cream market in 2025. Asia-pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the ice cream market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in the ice cream market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the ice cream market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.

The ice cream market consists of sales of gelato, frozen yogurt, sorbet, soft serve, mochi, sherbert, rolled ice cream. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.