The artisan ice cream market closes 2025 with an overall sales growth of 8.5% worldwide to EUR 16.5 billion and confirms itself as a dynamic and constantly evolving sector.
The expansion of the non-EU markets, which record growth rates of 10%, is the main driver of this result. In Europe, the trend remains positive, with United Kingdom and Spain among the most dynamic countries, while Italy consolidates its leadership, confirming itself as the first world market and a successful supply chain model for the artisan ice cream sector. Overall, the Italian supply chain – which iincludes ingredients, machinery, display cases and equipment – reaches an estimated value of EUR 4.9 billion and employs over 120 thousand people.
The market in Italy
In Italy, the turnover of the ice cream sector exceeds EUR 3.1 billion, an increase of 3.5% compared to 2024, including ancillary products. Volumes grew over the same period by 0.5%. Ice cream parlours with a strong tourist vocation benefit significantly from the flow of foreign visitors, with particular emphasis in Central and Southern Italy. Per capita consumption remains constant at around 2 kg per year, with an average expenditure of EUR 48 per person. The total number of ice cream parlours, pastry shops, bars and restaurants offering homemade ice cream exceeds 39 thousand, remaining substantially stable compared to recent years.
These numbers are at the heart of Sigep World 2026. Key trends that emerged at the show include strategic integration into restaurant chains, innovation in raw materials and the exploration of bold flavours, as well as a strong focus on technology, sustainability and establishing ice cream as a global business lever.
Integration with other departments
On this front, ice cream is in fact being integrated into the menus of hotels, cafés, bakeries and restaurants, with projects such as Gelato Meets Chains designed for large international chains, and accompanied by the ‘What is Gelato?’ campaign created to tell the identity of Made in Italy ice cream to an audience of global investors and decision makers.
Technological progress is also growing, with solutions from liquid ingredient technology to efficient freezing systems.