The ice cream sector is a major part of the UK’s food economy, with an estimated value of £1.3bn. Ice cream manufacturing has become a popular route for hard-pressed dairy farmers looking for higher yields from their milk. And, according to ICA CEO Zelica Carr, the public can’t get enough of farmers’ high-quality ice creams.
“There continues to be a tremendous demand for high-quality ice creams, and dairy farmers have been quick to respond to this demand,” said Carr. “More than 75% of new members joining the Alliance in recent years are farmers, and the vast majority have been very successful. There’s still plenty of scope to diversify and the Ice Cream Alliance will provide lots of information and advice to farmers who are considering investing in ice cream production.”
The Alliance is holding its annual expo at the Yorkshire Events Centre in Harrogate from 2-4 November, and Carr said this would provide an excellent opportunity for new and existing producers to gain valuable information and contacts.
“The expo is the biggest of its kind and we would expect millions of pounds worth of business will be generated from this event.
“The ice cream industry is in good shape in spite of the recession, with new ice cream manufacturers continuing to enter the market. Demand for quality ice cream continues to be strong among consumers, and the expo will be attracting key decision makers in the industry who are keen to take advantage of the latest innovations in manufacturing techniques and retail strategy.”
Source: Ice Cream Alliance
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