The consumption of ice cream is still a matter of summer, the season in which it is consumed the most, by far. Between June 2020 and May 2021, Spaniards consumed 149 million liters of ice cream, which is 4% more than the same period of the previous year, according to the Food Consumption Panel of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. In addition, the hot weather situation is also decisive in increasing its consumption.
Each Spaniard spends 12 euros a year on ice cream and consumes an average of 3.23 liters, more than half of it between June and August. By communities, the Balearic and Canary Islands are the territories where it is most consumed.
The data confirms a growth trend that brings the turnover of the sector in Spain closer to around 555 million euros. Worldwide, a Fortune Business Insights report forecasts that the global market will surpass $100 billion by 2029, taking a giant leap from the $71 billion market in 2021.
And this despite the increase in raw materials, the rise in prices, and the reduction in the shopping basket. The ice cream category at the Lidl supermarket chain, for example, has grown by more than 20%, making it the second largest retailer in the market, at 8.5%, according to the Kantar Worldpanel.
Ice creams are one of the most recognized desserts and adapt to current consumer trends. For example, the tendency to make low-calorie ice creams stands out, to make the pleasure of consuming them compatible with a balanced diet.
This is indicated by consumer trends around the world and also included in the White Paper of the Ice Cream Manufacturers Association, which points to the large number of nutrients and vitamins they provide. In fact, milk-based ice creams are a source of calcium and vitamins, especially B2.
But precisely another of the preferred trends in ice cream consumption is offering dairy-free products, and not only for lactose intolerant people, but also for vegans. Manufacturers offer sophisticated products made from dairy substitutes, for example with formulations based on coconut milk, almond milk or oat milk. It is undoubtedly a growing market and it is estimated that in 2024 the vegan ice cream submarket will reach one billion dollars in sales worldwide.
Ice creams, like other foods, do not escape functional lines either, that is, with ingredients that increase their benefits. Thus, there are already ice creams rich in fiber, probiotics and also protein.
As Miguel Paradela, General Director of Purchasing for Lidl in Spain, explains, "the goal is to make a variety of formats and a wide range of flavors available to consumers, with the best value for money and to reach different audiences and different types of subsistence allowance".
Its two own brands, Gelatelli and Bon Gelati, offer precisely nine ranges of flavors of protein ice cream, as well as ice creams without added sugar, mochis, vegan, unusual flavors such as kiwi, apple and cucumber, or American format with cookie pieces. or caramel, in total 101 different references.
Another trend is to launch increasingly daring mixes of flavors and textures. As a curiosity, the Van Leeuwen ice cream firm has dared to launch an ice cream with potato chips, chocolate, pretzels, caramel, marshmallows and... 5 milligrams of CBD (cannabidiol) in each serving, the chemical substance found in marijuana.
The growing awareness of ice cream consumers, and of the entire food sector, who are looking for healthy pleasure, that is, low in calories, and which are also made without animal products, also has the third leg in environmental and social sustainability.
It is a widespread trend in the sector, especially with cocoa. That is why the ice creams also have sustainable cocoa certifications such as the Rainforest Alliance, through which a fair and respectful agriculture with the environment and people is promoted.
As Miguel Paradela explains, at Lidl they also work with the Fairtrade seal, which certifies that the chocolate meets the fair trade standards established by Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International (FLO). Fair trade chocolate is a solidarity trading system that contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions and ensuring the rights of disadvantaged producers and workers.
Although some ice cream manufacturers have gone further and their product has become almost a subversive message. This is the case of the company Mschf, which has launched a series of stick ice creams with the descriptive name of Eat the Rich. For ten dollars you can enjoy an ice cream with the face of Elon Musk, Marck Zuckerberg or Jeff Bezos. In short, eating ice cream has fortunately ceased to be a guilty pleasure.
