More expensive ice cream, prices up to 138% since 2002

Prices are rising and portions are shrinking. The price increases do not even spare the food that characterises summer. Namely ice cream. Whether it is rich and gluttonous or, much more simply, refreshing and sometimes comforting, it makes no difference. Because with the heat and the summer season, consumption grows. But the price also grows.

A study carried out by Federconsumatori, the association that defends consumer rights, tells us this. "Consumption of this good knows no downturn, precisely because citizens associate it with the feeling of joy and the concept of a holiday. But prices, on the other hand, register real records,' the association emphasises. 'In the last year alone, on average, ice cream has increased by +9%. What has grown the most is the cost of packaged ice cream (by the stick) and ice cream in tubs, respectively increased by +24% and +23%'. That's not all, however, because if the comparison is extended to recent years, there is confirmation of how much the cost has risen. "Compared to 2021 on average, costs have increased by +42%," argue Federconsumatori, "but compared to 2002 they have increased by +138%.

Just a few examples: a small cone that cost 1.5 euro in 2002 now costs 2.9. And in the crescendo there are the others. An average cone has gone from 2.5 euro in 2002 to 3.95 today. There are also increases for packaged ice creams. It has risen from 0.90 cents per packaged carton in 2002 to 2.8 euro today. The cost of the packaged cone has more than doubled: from 1.2 to 2.5 euro. The same goes for those in trays: from 2.49 in 2002 to 7.98 today.

As for the causes, Federconsumatori has no doubts: 'Milk, sugar and cocoa have suffered price increases, to which the high energy prices of recent years must also be added, but these trends are not sufficient to explain increases of this magnitude.

There is also another aspect that is highlighted by the study carried out by the association for the protection of consumer rights. "While in artisan ice cream parlours the cones are getting bigger and more special, from cocoa, to almonds, to gluten-free versions," they argue, "and therefore more expensive, packaged ice creams, cones and sticks, are getting smaller and smaller: sticks have 'shrunk' by 15% compared to 2002. Gourmet versions are also getting smaller and smaller'.