The United Kingdom ice cream market, valued at USD 1.25 Billion in 2024, has seen notable growth, driven by surge in online sales and effective marketing strategies. The market is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.50% from 2025 to 2034, potentially reaching USD 1.94 Billion by 2034. Consumers are increasingly seeking ice creams made with meticulous craftsmanship, reflecting a dedication to excellence and unique textures.

The revenue in the 'Ice Cream' segment of the food market in the United Kingdom was modeled to be ************ U.S. dollars in 2024. Following a continuous upward trend, the revenue has risen by *********** U.S. dollars since 2018. Between 2024 and 2030, the revenue will rise by *********** U.S. dollars, continuing its consistent upward trajectory.Further information about the methodology, more market segments, and metrics can be found on the dedicated Market Insights page on Ice Cream.

The UK ice cream market reached $1B in 2024, flattening at the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Ice cream consumption peaked at $1.2B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The volume in the 'Ice Cream' segment of the food market in the United Kingdom was modeled to stand at ************** kilograms in 2024. Between 2018 and 2024, the volume rose by ************* kilograms, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend. The volume will steadily rise by ************* kilograms over the period from 2024 to 2030, reflecting a clear upward trend.Further information about the methodology, more market segments, and metrics can be found on the dedicated Market Insights page on Ice Cream.

Discover how the ice cream market in the UK is expected to experience a steady increase in demand over the next decade, with market volume projected to reach 280K tons and market value to hit $1.3B by 2035.

The Ice Cream Manufacturing industry is dominated by large brands, with major players like Froneri Ice Cream and Unilever UK holding the majority of the market. Ice cream sales are susceptible to changes in weather conditions, disposable incomes and diet trends. Rising inflation levels and poor summer weather have plagued the industry in recent years, as demand for this cool luxury treat has fallen. Rising health consciousness has also worsened this, as ice cream’s high sugar and fat contents make it unappealing. Additionally, the rising cost of inputs, such as milk and cream, has squashed ice cream makers' profit, forcing them to raise prices and worsening demand. Over the five years through 2025-26, industry revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 3.2%. As input prices continue to ease, sunny summer weather arrives and new product innovations hit the market, demand will likely grow and profit pressure will likely be released. However, rising inflationary pressure on consumer budgets will limit this demand, as individuals will limit spending on luxury items. As a result, the industry is expected to experience 0% growth in 2025-26, with inflation, remaining at £635.3 million. UK ice cream manufacturers face an uncertain few years ahead. New product innovations, like dairy-free and protein ice cream, provide an exciting opportunity for ice cream makers to capitalise on a growing health-conscious sentiment. However, new healthy eating regulations will likely weigh on sales, as ice cream becomes excluded from retailers' price promotions. Additionally, while the new UK-EU trade deal could boost industry exports, it will also increase domestic competition. With the EU home to extremely popular brands, like Haagen-Dazs and also the home of gelato, in Italy, this could dampen domestic sales as imports become more cost-effective. Overall industry revenue is anticipated to grow at a compound annual rate of 2.1% over the five years through 2030-31, reaching £704.2 million.

Handheld was the largest segment of the ice cream market in the United Kingdom in 2022. In that year, sales within the segment totaled 740 million GBP, more than double that of the next largest category, premium tubs.

The United Kingdom Ice Cream Market is expected to reach market size of more than USD 4.50 billion by 2029, guilt-free pleasures, low-cal.

Number of Businesses statistics on the Ice Cream Production industry in the UK

Discover the latest trends in the UK ice cream market as demand continues to rise, leading to projected growth in both volume and value over the next decade.

In 2023, sales from the manufacture of ice cream in the United Kingdom amounted to 566 million British pounds. The industry experienced a massive drop in sales from UK manufacturing of ice cream in 2014. It has since rebounded although it has not reached previous highs. Ice cream brands on the British market If all types of ice cream are considered, the most popular brand in Great Britain was Magnum with over 14 million consumers of its classic brand. After Magnum, the next most popular brand was Ben & Jerry’s. If only tubs and blocks are considered, Ben & Jerry’s was the most popular brand followed by Carte D’Or. Volume of the British Ice cream market The retail market volume of ice cream in Great Britain has remained relatively stable but is expected to grow in the coming years. However, the average per capita purchase of ice cream blocks in the UK has fluctuated from 114 grams in 2006 to 104 grams in 2018/19 and back up to 115 grams in 2020/21. In 2021/22, purchases dropped sharply to 87 grams.

The UK ice cream market is projected to grow at a CAGR of +1.2% in volume and +2.8% in value through 2035, driven by rising demand. This analysis covers consumption, production, and trade dynamics, including key import and export partners and price trends.

During 2023, the sales volume of ice cream manufactured in the UK amounted to approximately *** million liters. A decrease of over *** million liters in comparison to the previous year. An even larger decrease occurred between 2013 to 2014, when sales fell by over *** million liters. The wider UK marketWith the collapse in sales volume also came a collapse in sales value. While the sales value of ice cream in 2019 came to over *** million British pounds. In 2018/19, the average expenditure on ice cream blocks or tubs was at ** pence per person per week, the first major increase in five years. The ice cream van has virtually vanished from British streets. The worldwide marketQuickly summed up: the entire worldwide ice cream market is in decline. Goals of healthier – sugar, fat, and dairy free – lifestyles have had a major impact on U.S. production and consumption. The same is true for the consumption in other markets in the world, such as Canada. The shift towards healthier eating is accompanied by a rising demand for products with a higher quality.

The Market value (retail sales value) of Ice Cream Industry in United Kingdom (2017 - 2025, USD Millions)

Magnum was by far the leading brand of impulse ice cream in convenience stores in the United Kingdom in 2024. In that year, the brand sold **** million GBP of ice cream compared to second place Cornetto at just **** million pounds.

The UK poultry feed market is expected to grow at over 3% CAGR from 2024 to 2029, focusing on sustainability and eco-friendly practices.

In January 2023, the ice cream price stood at $3,849 per ton (CIF, United Kingdom), approximately reflecting the previous month.

The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.3% from 2025 to 2035, increasing from USD 1,023.815 Million in 2025 to USD 1,416.527 Million by 2035.

Metric	Value
Market Size (2025E)	USD 1,023.815 Million
Market Value (2035F)	USD 1,416.527 Million
CAGR (2025 to 2035)	3.3%

Country wise Outlook

Country	CAGR (2025 to 2035)
United States	3.3%

Country	CAGR (2025 to 2035)
United Kingdom	3.3%

Country	CAGR (2025 to 2035)
European Union	3.3%

Country	CAGR (2025 to 2035)
South Korea	3.3%

Country	CAGR (2025 to 2035)
Japan	3.3%

Segmentation Outlook

By Flavour	Market Share (2025)
Vanilla	34.6%

By Distribution Channel	Market Share (2025)
Offline	62.1%

Competitive Outlook

Company Name	Estimated Market Share (%)
Ben & Jerry’s (Unilever)	18-22%
Alden’s Organic Ice Cream	14-18%
Straus Family Creamery	10-14%
Häagen-Dazs (Nestlé)	8-12%
Three Twins Ice Cream	6-9%
Others	25-35

Ice Cream imports reached a peak of 148K tons in 2019, but remained slightly lower from 2020 to 2023. In terms of value, Ice Cream imports surged to $531M in 2023.

In 2023, consumer spending on sugar, confectionary and ice-cream in the United Kingdom amounted to 14.14 billion British pounds. Confectionary in detail Confectionery is commonly split in two main categories; bakers’ confectionary, which encompasses a variety of baked goods and sugar confectionery including candies (or sweets in Britain), as well as chocolates, gums and other primarily sugar-based confections. In 2021, about 8,800 tons of sugar confectionary were made and sold in the UK. About 4.5 billion British pounds were generated in revenue with the manufacture of chocolate and sugar confectionary in the UK during the same year. Ice cream market Retail sales of ice cream in the UK were valued at 0.74 billion GBP in 2021. Sales from ice cream made in the UK made up a volume of 380 million liters in 2021. On average, a person in the UK purchased 115 grams of ice cream in tubs or block form per week in 2020/21.