Frozen Dessert Trends and Forecast
The future of the global frozen dessert market looks promising with opportunities in the supermarket/hypermarket, convenience store, café & bakery shop, and online markets. The global frozen dessert market is expected to reach an estimated $157.5 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 5.7% from 2024 to 2030. The major drivers for this market are the launch of innovative flavor profiles and the development of low-fat and gluten-free food items, increasing consumer interest in healthier dessert choices, and rising disposable income of consumers.
• Lucintel forecasts that, within the product category, ice cream will remain the largest segment over the forecast period due to growing demand for ice cream at a massive scale owing to its increasing popularity and widespread appeal across all age demographics.
• Within the distribution channel category, supermarket/hypermarket will remain the largest segment over the forecast period due to a surge in consumer consumption of desserts, alongside other grocery items, leading to a heightened demand for the product.
• In terms of regions, APAC will remain the highest growing region over the forecast period due to the expansion of urban populations, evolving lifestyles, increasing disposable incomes, and shifting weather patterns in this region.
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Emerging Trends in the Frozen Dessert Market
The frozen dessert market is witnessing significant growth due to key trends gaining traction with consumers and technological advancements. More consumers are purchasing mole-flavored desserts that are health-conscious, sustainable, and creative. From clean-eating vegan products to decadently rich high-end options, the market offers a wide range of choices. Emerging trends indicate how the frozen dessert business will be shaped by consumersÄX%$%X appetites and market strategies.
• Growth of Research and Development Cell and Synthesizing of Plant-Based and Vegan Desserts: An important trend is the increasing interest in plant-based and vegan frozen desserts, as consumers lean towards economical and healthy options. Almond milk, coconut milk, and oat milk alternatives are becoming more in demand, offering various flavors and textures. This trend serves not only vegans but also markets with lactose-intolerant consumers and those seeking healthier desserts, fueling market growth.
• Health Awareness for Obesity and Diabetes: With increased health awareness among consumers, the demand for frozen desserts low in sugar, carbs, and keto-friendly options is rising. Brands are launching desserts with sugar alternatives like stevia and erythritol to appeal to health-conscious audiences. In the US and Europe, where obesity and diabetes are prevalent concerns, demand for such alternatives without sacrificing taste is high.
• Artisanal and Premium Offerings: There is an emerging trend for high-quality, premium frozen desserts with interesting flavors made from natural ingredients. This trend is more visible in urban areas where niche markets for gelato, sorbet, and other premium handmade ice cream products are growing. These gourmet desserts often feature organic ingredients, unique flavors, and eco-friendly packaging, targeting consumers who are willing to spend more for indulgence.
• Traditional and Exotic Flavors: One of the latest trends in global market development is the addition of traditional and exotic flavors to frozen desserts, particularly in countries such as China, India, and Japan. Local flavors such as matcha, red bean, saffron, and mango are being added to products to suit both national markets and international consumers seeking unique flavors. This trend increases product variety and promotes creativity worldwide.
• Sustainable and Earth-Conscious Packaging: Sustainability is shifting consumer preferences, leading to a growing need for more sustainable packaging solutions in the frozen dessert industry. Brands are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprints. This is especially evident in Europe, where there is greater environmental awareness, and companies go the extra mile to formulate packaging strategies that meet sustainability requirements.
These trends are driven by globalization, allowing the industry to adapt to modern changes and consumer demands in the frozen dessert market.
Recent Developments in the Frozen Dessert Market
The frozen dessert market has experienced several key developments that emphasize innovation and market expansion. These developments, ranging from advancements in product offerings to technological improvements in manufacturing and packaging, are helping brands meet the increasingly sophisticated needs of consumers. Below are five key developments impacting the frozen dessert market:
• Focus on Dairy Alternatives Market: There has been a significant rise in the market for dairy-alternative frozen desserts, such as those made from almond, coconut, and oat milk. This growth is driven by the popularity of veganism and the search for lactose-free alternatives. Companies are working to improve the texture and taste of these products, making them a more attractive option for consumers seeking dairy-free alternatives.
• Manufacturing Innovation: Improvements in manufacturing technologies have positively impacted frozen dessert production. The use of systemized techniques allows manufacturers to reduce costs and produce large quantities of consistent products. New cryogenic techniques have also enhanced the quality, texture, and shelf life of frozen desserts, making them more appealing to consumers.
• Functional Ingredients in Frozen Desserts: Numerous probiotic frozen desserts are now enriched with functional ingredients such as vitamins and proteins. This trend appeals to health-conscious consumers who want to enjoy sweets while benefiting from added nutritional value. Functional frozen desserts are in high demand in regions supporting global health trends, particularly North America and Europe.
• Explosion of Private Label Brands: Private-label frozen desserts are becoming popular, especially in Western markets where retailers have developed their own premium products. These brands are marketed as affordable alternatives to high-end brands while maintaining comparable quality. The rise of private labels is increasing competition and fostering innovation within the frozen dessert sector.
• Expansion of Online Sales Channels: The growth of e-commerce and online grocery shopping has provided new opportunities for frozen dessert brands to reach more consumers. Many brands are utilizing direct-to-consumer platforms, offering subscription services and more convenient access to niche markets. This development is particularly useful in regions where consumers prioritize convenience and variety in their shopping experience.
These developments are driving positive changes in the frozen dessert market, improving product quality, increasing the range of offerings, and enhancing customer convenience.
Strategic Growth Opportunities for Frozen Dessert Market
Several application areas present opportunities for growth in the frozen dessert sector. As consumer preferences shift towards healthier and premium products that do not compromise on convenience, brands are adapting to meet these demands. Below are five key growth opportunities in the frozen dessert market:
• Health-focused Frozen Desserts: Health-oriented frozen desserts, such as low-calorie, low-sugar options high in probiotics, are a growing market segment. Consumers are increasingly interested in classic sweets with added health benefits and functionality. This trend is creating a market for products aimed at health-conscious consumers while maintaining taste and quality.
• Plant-Based Substitutes: The demand for plant-based substitutes is a major growth opportunity in the frozen dessert industry. With the rise in vegan and lactose-free dessert consumption, brands are expanding their product ranges to include options made from almond milk, coconut milk, and oat milk. This segment has vast potential, appealing to consumers with allergies and those seeking environmentally friendly alternatives.
• Premium and Artisanal Products: Premium and artisanal frozen desserts with superior ingredients and unique flavors are gaining popularity, especially in urban markets. Consumers in the US are willing to pay more for satisfying, high-quality experiences. Brands emphasizing organic, fair-trade products and small production lines are likely to benefit from this trend.
• Online Direct-to-Consumer Platforms: The growth of e-commerce and online grocery sales presents a favorable opportunity for frozen dessert brands to reach consumers more directly. Direct-to-consumer platforms enable brands to offer personalized subscription services or exclusive items, catering to consumers seeking convenience and variety. This channel is critical for brand growth.
• Innovation in Packaging Sustainability: With growing environmental awareness among consumers, there is significant potential for growth in sustainable packaging solutions. Adopting eco-friendly materials, such as biodegradable, recyclable, or reusable packaging, is favored by environmentally conscious consumers. This growth opportunity is particularly relevant in Europe, where sustainability concerns are driving consumer preferences for products with a smaller environmental impact.
These strategic growth opportunities offer frozen dessert brands a chance to expand their reach and cater to health-conscious, premium-focused, and environmentally responsible consumers.
Frozen Dessert Market Driver and Challenges
Several factors are driving the growth and evolution of the frozen dessert market, while others present challenges. The following outlines the most important drivers and challenges:
The drivers include:
• Rising Demand for Health-Conscious Options: The increasing demand for healthy frozen desserts, such as low-calorie, low-sugar, and plant-based options, is a key market driver. Consumers seek indulgence within reasonable health limits, prompting the search for new and safer ingredients and formulations.
• Premiumization of Products: The growing demand for handcrafted, organic, and nutrition-packed frozen desserts with no preservatives is contributing to the premiumization trend. This trend is particularly strong in urban areas, where consumers are willing to pay for high-quality, unique flavors, driving market growth.
• Emergence of New Sales Formats: The rise of e-commerce and direct-to-consumer sales is expanding the market for frozen dessert brands. The availability of online grocery shopping, subscription services, and doorstep delivery is making it easier for consumers to purchase frozen desserts, accelerating market growth.
Challenges include:
• Prices of Raw Ingredients: Fluctuating prices of raw materials, particularly milk, sugar, and natural components, can affect manufacturersÄX%$%X profitability.
• Eco-Friendliness of Production: The increasing demand for sustainable packaging materials is putting pressure on frozen dessert brands to adopt environmentally friendly solutions.
• Legal Compliance: Frozen dessert brands must comply with numerous laws and regulations, including food safety standards, labeling requirements, and health claims. These compliance issues can be particularly challenging for smaller brands.
The dynamics shaping growth in the frozen dessert market include the availability of high-quality, health-oriented, and premium products, along with the development of new distribution channels. However, addressing issues such as raw material sourcing, sustainability, and legal compliance will be critical for future success.
List of Frozen Dessert Companies
Companies in the market compete on the basis of product quality offered. Major players in this market focus on expanding their manufacturing facilities, R&D investments, infrastructural development, and leverage integration opportunities across the value chain. Through these strategies frozen dessert companies cater increasing demand, ensure competitive effectiveness, develop innovative products & technologies, reduce production costs, and expand their customer base. Some of the frozen dessert companies profiled in this report include-
• Baskin Robbins
• Bassetts Ice cream
• Cielo USA
• Danone
• Fonterra Group
• General Mills
• Kellogg Company
• Meiji Holdings
• Nestle
• Unilever
Frozen Dessert by Segment
The study includes a forecast for the global frozen dessert by product, distribution channel, and region.
Frozen Dessert Market by Product [Analysis by Value from 2018 to 2030]:
• Ice-creams
• Frozen Yogurts
• Confectionary & Candies
• Others
Frozen Dessert Market by Distribution Channel [Analysis by Value from 2018 to 2030]:
• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
• Convenience Stores
• Cafes & Bakery Shops
• Online
• Others
Frozen Dessert Market by Region [Analysis by Value from 2018 to 2030]:
• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• The Rest of the World
Country Wise Outlook for the Frozen Dessert Market
The global frozen dessert market is growing rapidly, driven by the increasing consumer demand for healthier, premium, and plant-based options. Key countries such as the US, China, Germany, India, and Japan have unique market trends influenced by cultural, economic, and product development factors. These developments focus on emerging concepts like sustainability, health and wellness, and innovation in flavors and textures.
• United States: In the US, the frozen dessert market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the rising demand for plant-based and low-sugar options. The increasing number of health-conscious consumers is fueling the popularity of coconut and other plant-based ice creams. Additionally, high-end, organic frozen desserts are gaining traction, contributing to market expansion.
• China: ChinaÄX%$%Xs ice cream market is growing due to rapid urbanization and the expansion of the middle class. There is rising demand for distinct flavors, such as matcha and red bean. Western-style products, such as gelato and high-quality ice cream, are also gaining popularity, providing opportunities for both domestic and foreign brands to cater to changing consumer preferences.
• Germany: The German frozen dessert market is characterized by growing demand for organic and clean-label products. Sustainability is a key factor influencing consumer choices, with eco-friendly packaging and fair-trade ingredients driving market growth.
• India: In India, the frozen dessert market is booming, with consumers looking for both traditional flavors and innovative, healthy alternatives. Ice cream brands are experimenting with flavors such as mango, pistachio, and saffron to cater to regional preferences.
• Japan: JapanÄX%$%Xs frozen dessert market is known for its high-quality, premium products. Consumers in Japan are particularly drawn to premium ice cream and artisanal flavors such as matcha and red bean, driving growth in the frozen dessert sector.
Overall, the frozen dessert market’s expansion is taking shape differently across countries, with regional preferences and cultural factors playing a key role in shaping market dynamics.
Features of the Global Frozen Dessert Market
Market Size Estimates: Frozen dessert market size estimation in terms of value ($B).
Trend and Forecast Analysis: Market trends (2018 to 2023) and forecast (2024 to 2030) by various segments and regions.
Segmentation Analysis: Frozen dessert market size by product, distribution channel, and region in terms of value ($B).
Regional Analysis: Frozen dessert market breakdown by North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World.
Growth Opportunities: Analysis of growth opportunities in different products, distribution channels, and regions for the frozen dessert market.
Strategic Analysis: This includes M&A, new product development, and competitive landscape of the frozen dessert market.
Analysis of competitive intensity of the industry based on Porter’s Five Forces model.
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FAQ
Q.1 What is the frozen dessert market size?
Answer: The global frozen dessert market is expected to reach an estimated $157.5 billion by 2030.
Q.2 What is the growth forecast for frozen dessert market?
Answer: The global frozen dessert market is expected to grow with a CAGR of 5.7% from 2024 to 2030.
Q.3 What are the major drivers influencing the growth of the frozen dessert market?
Answer: The major drivers for this market are launch of innovative flavor profiles and development of low-fat and gluten-free food items, increasing consumer interest in healthier dessert choices, and rising disposable income of consumers .
Q4. What are the major segments for frozen dessert market?
Answer: The future of the frozen dessert market looks promising with opportunities in the supermarket/hypermarket, convenience store, café & bakery shop, and online markets.
Q5. Who are the key frozen dessert market companies?
Answer: Some of the key frozen dessert companies are as follows:
• Baskin Robbins
• Bassetts Ice cream
• Cielo USA
• Danone
• Fonterra Group
• General Mills
• Kellogg Company
• Meiji Holdings
• Nestle
• Unilever
Q6. Which frozen dessert market segment will be the largest in future?
Answer: Lucintel forecasts that ice-cream will remain the largest segment over the forecast period due to growing demand for ice cream at a massive scale owing to its increasing popularity and widespread appeal across all age demographics.
Q7. In frozen dessert market, which region is expected to be the largest in next 5 years?
Answer: APAC will remain the highest growing region over the forecast period due to expansion of urban populations, evolving lifestyles, increasing disposable incomes, and shifting weather patterns in this region.
Q.8 Do we receive customization in this report?
Answer: Yes, Lucintel provides 10% customization without any additional cost.
This report answers following 11 key questions:
Q.1. What are some of the most promising, high-growth opportunities for the frozen dessert market by product (ice-creams, frozen yogurts, confectionary & candies, and others), distribution channel (supermarkets/hypermarkets, convenience stores, cafes & bakery shops, online, and others), and region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World)?
Q.2. Which segments will grow at a faster pace and why?
Q.3. Which region will grow at a faster pace and why?
Q.4. What are the key factors affecting market dynamics? What are the key challenges and business risks in this market?
Q.5. What are the business risks and competitive threats in this market?
Q.6. What are the emerging trends in this market and the reasons behind them?
Q.7. What are some of the changing demands of customers in the market?
Q.8. What are the new developments in the market? Which companies are leading these developments?
Q.9. Who are the major players in this market? What strategic initiatives are key players pursuing for business growth?
Q.10. What are some of the competing products in this market and how big of a threat do they pose for loss of market share by material or product substitution?
Q.11. What M&A activity has occurred in the last 5 years and what has its impact been on the industry?
For any questions related to Frozen Dessert Market, Frozen Dessert Market Size, Frozen Dessert Market Growth, Frozen Dessert Market Analysis, Frozen Dessert Market Report, Frozen Dessert Market Share, Frozen Dessert Market Trends, Frozen Dessert Market Forecast, Frozen Dessert Companies, write Lucintel analyst at email: helpdesk@lucintel.com. We will be glad to get back to you soon.