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Summary
The global ice cream and sorbet market was projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9% to reach $84.9 billion by 2025. This robust growth is primarily driven by increased living standards in emerging Asian markets, expected to expand at a 5.6% CAGR. Major global players such as Unilever, Mars, Nestlé, and General Mills dominate a highly fragmented market landscape.
French consumers exhibit strong seasonal patterns in their ice cream consumption, with marked increases during summer and end-of-year festivities. The market is marked by a broad and diverse range of products, with a trend towards mini-formats, new flavors, and artisanal offerings. Despite this variety, a large portion of the market's value is concentrated in a few product types like sticks and cones. The production process is critically dependent on maintaining the cold chain to ensure quality and compliance with regulations regarding the composition and labeling of ice cream and sorbet products.
Analysis of Ice Cream and Sorbet Demand Trends in France
The demand for ice cream and sorbets in France has demonstrated varied consumer behaviors, products preferences, and seasonal impacts. The penetration rate for ice cream and sorbet products throughout France reached 87.4%, slightly increasing compared to the previous year. On average, French households engage in around 8 purchase actions per year on these products, spending more than 45 euros annually, with an average basket size per purchase transaction of approximately 6 euros. Despite these figures, the French consumption of ice cream per capita hovers around 6 liters annually, which is somewhat lower than the regional European average of between 6 and 7 liters per year.
Regarding preferences, Italian ice cream takes the top spot, followed by sorbets and frozen yogurt. Interestingly, while indulgence drives the category, with over two-thirds of French consumers considering ice cream a convivial product, it is seen as a secondary delight after dinner. The data also highlights the strong seasonality in demand, with a significant increase in ice cream consumption during the summer and a secondary peak around the year-end festivities. An analysis of consumer behavior shows distinct patterns, particularly when segmented by age group. For instance, individuals under 35 years of age are the least likely to consume ice cream, averaging around 5.3 kg annually. In contrast, those within the 35-49 age bracket not only have a higher penetration rate of around 90% but also consume nearly 7 kg of ice cream yearly.
Despite a slight drop in effective consumption, with a 3% decline, the French market for ice cream has shown an increasing turnover and consumption in the years prior, leading to a market that is heavily concentrated among a few global groups. These companies dominate the market, suggesting a robust competitive environment where large players hold considerable market share. Unilever, for example, enjoys a market share value in France of over 30%. The richness of offerings in this sector is also apparent. A variety of products differing in flavor, format, and type exist on the market, with some segments experiencing pronounced growth. Notably, the mini-format segment saw an increase in sales of approximately 9%, and artisanal ice cream, catering to health-conscious consumers, is trending upward with its use of healthy ingredients and organic products.
This analysis showcases that the French market for ice cream and sorbets is complex and dynamic, heavily influenced by consumer preferences, seasonal fluctuations.
Key Players Shaping the Vibrant Ice Cream and Sorbet Market Landscape
The ice cream and sorbet industry is characterized by the presence of several prominent global players that significantly influence market dynamics through their wide array of products, constant innovation, and expansive geographic reach. Below we delve into the notable companies that are central to the growth and evolution of the ice cream and sorbet market.
- Unilever : As a household name in the consumer goods sector, Unilever stands as a market leader in the ice cream and sorbet category. Boasting beloved brands like Magnum, Cornetto, Ben & Jerry's, and Popsicle, Unilever's portfolio covers various formats ranging from luxury indulgences to classic frozen treats that cater to diverse consumer preferences.
- Nestlé : With a significant share of the ice cream market, Nestlé's presence is marked by well-established brands such as Kit Kat, Extreme, and Dreyer’s. Their product selection ranges from family-sized tubs to convenient single-serving sticks, demonstrating Nestlé's adaptation to various consumption scenarios.
- General Mills : Known primarily for its iconic brand Häagen-Dazs, General Mills targets the premium segment of the ice cream market. Its offerings comprise a selection of rich and sophisticated flavors that promise an indulgent experience.
- Mars : Mars extends its reach beyond the candy aisle into the freezer section with ice cream versions of its popular confections like Mars, Snickers, Twix, and Bounty. These products successfully bridge the gap between candy bars and ice cream, offering a unique twist on well-loved flavors.
- Froneri : A joint venture between Nestlé and PAI Partners, Froneri emerged as a significant entity focused purely on the frozen treat sector. Froneri's roster includes household names like Nestlé Ice Creams, Oreo, Milka, and Kit Kat, ensuring a powerful footing within the market.
- Artisanal Players : The market is also home to artisanal brands that emphasize craftsmanship, quality ingredients, and unique flavor profiles. Brands like Amorino and O Sorbet d'Amour are examples of artisanal ice cream makers that provide consumers with premium, handcrafted options that often incorporate organic ingredients and innovative flavors.
- Supermarket Chains : Retailers such as E.Leclerc, Carrefour, and Auchan have also carved out a significant share of the ice cream market with their private label offerings. These budget-friendly alternatives often compete with established brands on price.
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- Number of pages : 30 pages
- Format : Digital and PDF versions
- Last update : 02/12/2021
Summary and extracts
1 Market overview
1.1 Presentation and definition of the ice cream and sorbet market
The ice is a food made from from milk, sugar, fruit and a variety of flavours . A sorbet consists solely of sugar syrup and fruit pulp or flavorings .
There are different types of ice cream available in the shops: cones and sticks (sometimes sold individually), ice cream specialities to share (logs and ice cream cakes) or even fruit tubs and jars of ice cream and sorbets sold in GSA (Large Food Stores).
In terms of volume, the home consumption market is dominated by individual specialities (cones, sticks, etc.) and bulk sorbets and ice cream (particularly fruit tubs), with the remainder consisting of seasonal collective specialities (Christmas logs, etc.). It is the snack ice segment that plays the most important role in the sale of ice cream during the summer period and ice cream consumption varies considerably during the year and from one year to the next, depending on the weather conditions.
The world market for ice cream and sorbets was estimated at 57.9 billion in 2018 . It is expected to grow at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 4.9% between 2019 and 2025 to reach $84.9 billion by 2025. The global market is highly fragmented, but some of the main market players include Unilever, Mars, Nestlé, General Mills, Lotte and Dunkin' Brands
In France, the ice cream industry is made up of a multitude of companies, and the players in the sector are often small in size. However, a few large global groups dominate the market, including the groups mentioned above. As far as distributors are concerned, it is the Large and Medium-Sized Surfaces (GMS) which concentrate the great majority of sales.
The French market has seen a steady increase in turnover and consumption in recent years. However, in 2019, the French consumed slightly less ice cream and sorbets, with a a 3% drop in effective household consumption compared to 2018 . However, market participants can rely on the market premiumisation and innovation as the main future growth drivers.
Companies in the sector are thus relying on innovation strategies. This innovation can take several forms fragrance renewal , new formats or new concepts . Another opportunity on the market is the development of an offer of organic products at the higher prices.
List of charts
- Projection du chiffre d'affaire des glaces et sorbets
- Frequency of frozen dessert purchases
- Quantity purchased per year by age group
- Breakdown of ice cream sales by age group
- Favourite types of ice cream
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Latest news
Auchan faces another "difficult" year in 2023 - 22/02/2024
- -Auchan net loss in 2023: 379 million euros
- - Previous year's profit: 33 million euros
- - Auchan's position in the French retail sector: 5th
- - Revenue in 2023: down 1.7% to 32.9 billion euros
- - Share of hypermarkets in Auchan's store base: 21%
- - Acquisition of Casino stores by Auchan and Intermarché: 70 supermarkets, 26 hypermarkets, including five larger than 9,000 m2, and two drives
Auchan: New Beginnings - 06/12/2023
- Gérard Mulliez founded Auchan in 1961.
- Auchan hypermarkets account for 80% of the company's sales.
- Auchan's market share has fallen from over 10% five years ago to 8.4% today.
- Failed attempt by the Mulliez family to take over Carrefour in October 2021.
- Auchan and Intermarché are looking to form a product purchasing alliance, which would give them a combined market share of 30%.
- Auchan and Intermarché have been trying to share nearly 300 hypers and supermarkets that Casino is due to sell.
80 Carrefour hypermarkets operated under franchise or leasing agreements - 14/11/2023
- On October 20, Carrefour announced its intention to switch 37 stores (comprising 15 hypermarkets and 21 supermarkets) to lease management.
- Since 2018, 80 hypermarkets have left integrated status, representing around a third of all hypermarkets.
- Around 75% of supermarkets (784 out of 1038) are currently leased or franchised.
Carrefour to lease out 37 stores - 21/10/2023
- Carrefour plans to lease out 37 new stores in 2022, 16 hypermarkets and 21 supermarkets.
- Around 4,000 employees affected
- The company launched an outsourcing program in 2018.
- The number announced is in line with previous years: 41 stores (including 16 hyper) in 2023, 43 stores (including 16 hyper) in 2022, and 47 stores (including 10 hyper) in 2021.
- Since Alexandre Bompard took over as CEO, 305 stores, including 80 hypermarkets, have been outsourced, affecting more than 23,000 employees.
In Haute-Savoie, "reasoned development" for Glaces des Alpes - 10/10/2023
- The company, which mainly supplies foodservice professionals
- Over 20 million euros in sales
- 75 employees
- 180 fragrances
- The brand is distributed throughout France, especially in the Rhône-Alpes region, as well as in Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Belgium and Luxembourg.
- Exports account for nearly 13% of sales.
Food: Carrefour joins forces with seven manufacturers to promote plant-based products - 07/09/2023
- The aim of the international coalition to accelerate sales of plant-based alternatives is to achieve joint sales of 3 billion euros in this niche by 2026.
- Carrefour's share will be 500 million euros, a 60% increase on today's figure.
- Plant-based alternatives represented a market worth 553 million euros in 2022
- Sales of plant-based products are enjoying double-digit growth.
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the ice cream and sorbet market | France
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