The icecream market - Italy

The global ice cream and sorbet market has been demonstrating robust growth, with a projection to expand from $79.0 billion in 2021 to $114.4 billion by 2025, reflecting a CAGR of 4.2% from 2022 to 2030. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic impacting consumer behavior and purchasing power in Italy, the ice cream market has adapted with an increase in home deliveries and a shift to private-label products. The Italian market shows a strong preference for artisanal ice cream. Consumer trends indicate a balanced gender consumption pattern, with a slight female preference for regular consumption, and preferences for cones and chocolate, pistachio, or hazelnut flavors. Innovations are driving the market towards organic, vegan, and specialty products, with a significant presence of private label brands in supermarkets. Market players are diversified, with large groups such as Unilever, Nestlé, General Mills, and Mars dominating, while a surge in artisanal gelaterias and the emergence of Froneri reflects the market's dynamic landscape. Regulations ensure quality control without specific legislation but with industry standards for product designations. Italy's artisan-led market contrasts with the industrial ice cream alongside growing exports, particularly to the USA and within Europe.

The Evolving Landscape of Italian Ice Cream Consumption

The Italian ice cream market, a kaleidoscope of traditional methods and innovative trends, showcases a nation's inherent love for gelato. It's a place where artisanal craftsmanship blends seamlessly with industrial efficiency. Within this space, Italians show overwhelming support for the artisanal variants, which claim roughly 30% of the European market, signaling a discernible taste for quality and tradition over mass-produced options. Despite the richness of homemade gelato, industrial ice creams maintain a foothold, marked by significant prospects for growth even in the face of fierce competitiveness. Major global players like Unilever, Nestlé, and Mars expand alongside homegrown artisans, contributing to a market that's both local in essence and international in reach.

The consumption patterns reflect a year-round love affair with ice cream that doesn't wane with the change of seasons. Nearly every Italian partakes in this frozen indulgence, with consumption rates reaching an impressive 94% during summer and maintaining a hearty presence even in winter months, between 30 and 35%. The ice cream market remains resilient in the face of challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, which spurred shifts in consumption with increased home deliveries and a tilt towards private label products. This adaptability further emphasizes the market's dynamic nature, catering to evolving dietary preferences and a growing health consciousness among consumers. Innovation is not just limited to flavors and formats, but also in approaches toward production transparency and ethical sourcing, with blockchain technology and ethical value chains gaining prominence. What's clear is that the Italian ice cream market, with a mix of local flavors, global influence, and tech-forward thinking, presents an intricate portrait of a society's taste preferences— one that is indulgent, discriminating, and ever-changing.

Landscape of Dominant and Artisanal Forces in the Italian Ice Cream Market

The Italian ice cream market boasts a tapestry of both dominant global entities and cherished artisanal brands that contribute to its vibrant and diverse character. Key players are carving out their respective niches, shaping an industry that caters to a wide array of tastes and preferences.

• Large Industrial Groups Influencing the Global Stage : Undoubtedly, some of the market's momentum can be attributed to the presence of large industrial groups with international clout. Unilever leads the pack, with an impressive portfolio of beloved brands that include Magnum, Carte d'Or, and Cornetto. These brands are household names, delivering indulgent experiences with every scoop. Another titan, Nestlé, guarantees a delightful array of choices ranging from La Laitière to the crisp refreshment of Pirulo ice lollies. General Mills, although a more narrowly focused contender, holds a trump card with its Haagen-Dazs brand, synonymous with luxury and creamy richness. Not to be outshined, Mars Inc. caters to the crossover audience of candy and ice cream lovers, transforming confectionery favorites like Snickers and M&M's into frozen treats.
• The Rise of Froneri: A Major New Contender : A relatively new but powerful player in the market, Froneri, has emerged as a formidable force. Birthed from the strategic collaboration of Nestlé's know-how and R&R's savvy, it has expanded rapidly. Froneri not only incorporates classic Nestlé flavors but also surprises with offerings like Daim and Oreo ice cream, much to the delight of consumers who enjoy variety.
• Small-Scale Artisans: The Heartbeat of Italian Ice Cream Culture : No overview of the Italian ice cream market is complete without homage to the artisans who infuse passion and tradition into every batch. La Romana, originating from a small family business, now epitomizes the classic Italian gelato experience. It has expanded over the years yet maintains the handcrafted approach that has won over both locals and tourists. Cream and Chocolate and Rivareno each add their distinct touch to the market with artisan techniques and flavors that keep customers returning. Amorino stands out with its unique presentation of ice cream in the shape of a flower, offering not only a taste sensation but also a visual feast.
• Supermarkets as Gatekeepers of Accessibility : Supermarkets like Conad and Coop Italy play an essential role as distributors in the ice cream market, ensuring wide accessibility.

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : 30 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 12/07/2023

Summary and extracts

List of charts

• Marché mondial des glaces et sorbets
• Major European ice cream exporters
• Principaux pays impliqués dans le marché de la glace et part de marché
• Consommation de glaces par pays
• Evolution du marché de la glace en Italie
• Principales destinations de glaces à l'export
• Principaux pays d'origine des glaces à l'import
• Exportations, importations et taux de couverture de l'Italie dans le marché des glaces et sorbets
• Sondage : "Combien de fois par semaine mangez-vous des glaces ?"
• Préférences des parfums de glaces
• Sondage : "Quelles sortes de glaces préférez-vous ?"
• Types de glaces préférés des Italiens
• Pourquoi privilégier la glace industrielle à la glace artisanale
• Recherche du terme "gelato"
• Popularité des marques sur internet
• Répartition des ventes de glaces et sorbet
• Marques de glaces les plus représentées dans les supermarchés avec leur taux de présence
• Pourcentage de glaces de la MDD par distributeur dans le rayon des glaces
• Longueur moyenne du rayon de glaces par distributeur
• Taux de présence des glaces dans les supermarchés par catégorie
• Taux de présence des glaces "spéciales"
• Indice des prix à la consommation des glaces et sorbets
• Number of companies operating in the ice cream market
• Types d'acteurs présents sur le marché des glaces