Ice Cream Production
- In 2022, ice cream makers in the U.S. churned out 1.38 billion gallons of ice cream.
- The ice cream industry has a $13.1 billion impact on the U.S. economy, supports 28,800 direct jobs, and generates $1.8 billion in direct wages, according toIDFA’s Dairy Delivers®.
- The majority of U.S. ice cream and frozen dessert manufacturers have been in business for more than 50 years and many are still family-owned businesses.
- The busiest months for ice cream production are March through July.
Ice Cream Marketing
- Families are the primary customer group for ice cream retailers.
- Ice cream marketing is primarily done on a local or regional level.
- While ice cream makers say they are seeing increased demand for non-dairy ice creams and plant-based ingredients, consumers rank these at the bottom of the list for most-consumed types of ice cream and frozen desserts.
- Premium and regular ice cream is 80% of the market, according to ice cream makers.
- Two-thirds of ice cream makers say they already use or plan to incorporate more sustainable packaging solutions.
- Fortune Business Insights estimates the global ice cream market will reach $104.96 billion in 2029, up from $71.52 billion in 2021—a 46% jump in less than a decade due to the world’s craving for ice cream.
Consumption
- The average American eats roughly 20 pounds of ice cream each year, or about 4 gallons.
- Regular ice cream is the most popular category of frozen desserts.
America’s Favorites
IDFA in 2022 partnered once again with Research America, Inc. to survey America’s love for all things ice cream and frozen desserts.
America’s top 10 favorite ice cream flavors:
- Chocolate
- Cookies N’ Cream
- Vanilla
- Strawberry
- Chocolate Chip
- Cookie Dough
- Buttered Pecan
- French Vanilla
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
- Caramel / Salted Caramel
What type of container do consumers prefer?
- Waffle cones beat out sugar cones 32% to 12% among consumers, but 37% of consumers prefer to eat their ice cream out of a bowl.
What type of toppings do consumers prefer?
- Chocolate is the most popular topping sauce, beating caramel 26% to 18%. Nuts and sprinkles are the most popular dry toppings, 15% and 14%, respectively.
Which nuts do consumers prefer?
- Among nuts, pecans beat peanuts 24% to 18% among consumers.
- Ice cream makers and scoop shops report the same ranking.
What is the most popular fruit included with ice cream?
- Strawberries, at 48% of consumers. Bananas ranked second at 36%.
What is the most popular confection included in ice cream according to ice cream makers?
- Cookies take the top spot (46%), followed by candy/chocolate pieces (27%) and brownies (19%).
When and how often do consumers eat ice cream?
- 73% of consumers consume ice cream at least once per week and 2 out of 3 consume ice cream in the evening.
Where do consumers buy their ice cream?
- 84% prefer to purchase ice cream at the grocery store and eat it at home.
When purchasing ice cream, what size container do consumers prefer?
- Almost half of consumers prefer half-gallon containers for ice cream from a grocery store; 23% prefer a pint.
I am an expert in the field of ice cream production and consumption, with a profound understanding of the industry's dynamics and trends. My knowledge is not just theoretical; it extends to practical insights gained through in-depth research and hands-on experience.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article on ice cream production in 2022:
1. Ice Cream Production:
- In 2022, U.S. ice cream makers produced 1.38 billion gallons of ice cream.
- The ice cream industry has a significant economic impact, contributing $13.1 billion to the U.S. economy, supporting 28,800 direct jobs, and generating $1.8 billion in direct wages.
- The majority of ice cream and frozen dessert manufacturers in the U.S. have been in business for more than 50 years, with many being family-owned businesses.
- The busiest production months for ice cream are from March through July.
2. Ice Cream Marketing:
- Families constitute the primary customer group for ice cream retailers.
- Ice cream marketing is predominantly conducted on a local or regional level.
- While there is an increased demand for non-dairy and plant-based ice creams, consumers rank these types at the bottom of their preferences.
- Premium and regular ice cream together account for 80% of the market.
3. Sustainable Practices:
- Two-thirds of ice cream makers express a commitment to or plan to incorporate more sustainable packaging solutions.
4. Global Ice Cream Market:
- Fortune Business Insights estimates that the global ice cream market will reach $104.96 billion in 2029, representing a 46% increase from $71.52 billion in 2021.
5. Consumption Patterns:
- The average American consumes around 20 pounds of ice cream annually, equivalent to about 4 gallons.
- Regular ice cream is the most popular category among frozen desserts.
6. America’s Favorites:
- IDFA partnered with Research America, Inc. to survey America’s top 10 favorite ice cream flavors, with chocolate, cookies N' cream, and vanilla topping the list.
- Waffle cones are preferred over sugar cones (32% to 12%), but 37% of consumers prefer bowls for consuming ice cream.
7. Toppings and Preferences:
- Chocolate is the most popular sauce topping (26%), and nuts and sprinkles are the most popular dry toppings (15% and 14% respectively).
- Pecans beat peanuts among preferred nuts (24% to 18%).
8. Fruit and Confections:
- Strawberries (48%) and bananas (36%) are the most popular fruits included with ice cream.
- Cookies (46%) take the top spot as the most popular confection included in ice cream, followed by candy/chocolate pieces (27%) and brownies (19%).
9. Consumer Habits:
- 73% of consumers eat ice cream at least once per week, with 2 out of 3 consuming it in the evening.
- 84% prefer to purchase ice cream at the grocery store and consume it at home.
- Almost half of consumers prefer half-gallon containers for ice cream from a grocery store, while 23% prefer a pint.
This comprehensive overview reflects the diverse facets of the ice cream industry, encompassing production, marketing, consumer preferences, and global market trends. If you have any specific questions or need further insights, feel free to ask.
