Packaged ice cream, 3.7 billion servings sold annually and growing trend

The Ligurian company, which exports 30% of its total turnover, has entered Bulgaria, Macedonia, Kosovo, Croatia, and the Czech Republic (as well as Morocco) this year, while new projects in Bosnia, Serbia, Greece, and Romania will start in the summer. Two projects that in total are worth around one million in annual volumes.'To have succeeded in penetrating such varied markets is a source of great pride. Here we note how thehealthy segment, as well as new, smarter formats, are attracting the interest of all new geographies. We are investing heavily in numerous initiatives, including one with Bauli, and are extending the assortment with new innovative projects. Already a leader in Italy for sorbet and ice cream with no added sugar, it has launched this summer the High Protein Without Added Sugar and KeTop! lines, especially designed for consumers following the Keto diet or simply monitoring their carbohydrate intake.

In recent years, it is the healthy trend that has been the most successful. A business so mouth-watering that it even attracted Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc who, together with Federico Grom and Guido Martinetti (founders of Grom) and Nicolas Todt (his manager), created Lec - Why Resist?. A line of ice creams reduced in calories, both in fats and sugars, which debuted in April in large-scale retail outlets (Bennet, Borello, Despar Nord-Est, Esselunga, Iper La grande i).
"I wanted to create a packaged ice cream suitable for sportsmen. However, it was when I felt the guilt of giving in to the temptation of eating even a simple ice cream that the idea of a delicious, light product suitable for everyone was born,' explains the champion.

The alliances between the 'bakery' and ice cream worlds continue. In addition to the one mentioned between Tonitto and Bauli with the apricot flavours Panettone, Pandoro and Croissant, Algida also continues its collaboration with Barilla by announcing the launch of Pavesini ice cream, while Gocciole and Ringo gain the tub format. "Ringo, already a love brand, is present in the homes of around 8 million households. The ambition,' explain the company, 'is to attract new consumers and help grow the category, replicating the positive performance of the sandwich launch.

A marriage suspended until the conclusion of the investigation, on the other hand, between Sammontana and Forno d'Asolo, which was blocked by the Antitrust Authority in May and which, in addition to creating a 1 billion turnover pole, could have led to new taste experiences.

Froneri, the world's second largest packaged ice cream company, is focusing this year on exotic fruits such as mango, coconut, pecans and salted caramelised almonds for its Nuii brand. While Kit Kat ice cream, the iconic brand known to 99% of Italians, is landing in the retail channel.

According to the survey conducted by AstraRicerche for the Istituto del Gelato Italiano, during the warm season, in fact, about two thirds of those interviewed say they eat at least one gelato a week. But 40.7% also eat three or more; moreover, although less frequent, consumption also continues during the other seasons of the year.

The Italian passion for ice cream has clearly increased over the past five years, with 23.2% of respondents believing they have increased their consumption of packaged ice cream, with peaks of 36% for men aged 18-34.

Furthermore, according to forecasts, over the next three years consumption will increase for 30.2% of the individuals surveyed. In fact, there are many characteristics of packaged ice cream that Italians like: food safety, the variety of formats available and the long shelf life, the low price and the ease in finding information on ingredients, including allergens and nutritional values, as well as the convenient possibility, in 70.8% of cases, to be consumed at home.

Packaged ice cream is, in fact, consumed predominantly at home (70.8%): mainly by women, over 45, belonging to the cluster 'ice cream as a treat'. The packaged ice creams most frequently consumed at home are the tub (71%), the biscuit (63%), ice cream cakes (58%), the stick (regular size 56%, mini size 51%), mini size cone (45%) and ice cream bars (45%). Outside the home, on the other hand, normal format cones (60%) and ice cream in cups (55%) are favoured.

"The sector is lively and consumption is expected to increase over the next few years, unlike other product categories," emphasises Cosimo Finzi of AstraRicerche . I believe that some factors will be decisive in sustaining growth: first of all, a stronger and clearer narrative on the positive characteristics of ice cream. The research shows, in fact, that there are still false myths about the health and quality aspects of the industrial product. A positive effect on consumption will also be provoked by further innovation in terms of flavours and formats to satisfy the consumer's desire for something new and the drive towards deseasonalisation'.