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The ice cream market in west Europe is on the up, with volumes rising at a growing rate. Germany, Italy and the UK are the biggest markets. Combined, they account for over half of the total west European volume. Consumption per person is rising due to a wider variety of products on offer, and producers are attempting to make ice cream an everyday treat.

Annual growth in west Europe is forecast to be around 2%, meaning total consumption is expected to top three billion litres by 2012. This is mainly lead by innovation in packaging, indulgence, consumption occasion, and innovative flavours and ingredients.

The ice cream market is also buoyant in east Europe, with Russia, Ukraine and Poland being the largest markets in the region. Value is increasing rapidly, particularly in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. The ice cream market size is forecast to grow by about 6% year on year to 2012, reaching 1.5 billion litres.

North America bucks the trend somewhat with a recent overall decline in consumption of ice cream. Both the weather and concern over obesity have influenced consumption patterns. Zenith International forecasts suggest that the ice cream market will show some recovery in the next few years, with volumes rising year on year by around 0.3%, reaching 5.6 billion litres in 2012.

The Middle East

The ice cream market in the Middle East is small but expanding, with double-digit growth seen between 2005-2006 and 2006-2007. Turkey accounts for over half of the total volume. The ice cream market value is low in comparison to other dairy products in the Middle East, but it's rising along with volumes.

Growth is expected in all countries of the Middle East, but is particularly strong in the UAE and Lebanon. The ice cream market is forecast to reach 328 million litres by 2012. Per person consumption follows a similar trend to overall volumes rising from 2.3 litres in 2008 to 2.8 litres in 2012.

Ice cream products experienced strong growth in Asia and Australasia, with overall volumes for the region jumping 46% from four billion litres in 2003 to 5.9 billion litres in 2008. China accounts for the majority of volume, with South Korea and Japan showing strong growth. The market value of ice cream in 2007 was €34.5m, up by 9% since 2003, driven by China’s rising volumes (but reducing value per kilo).

The growth of the ice cream market in Asia and Australasia is forecast to continue, but with annual growth reducing slowly. Total volumes are expected to reach over seven billion litres by 2012, mainly due to continued growth in China. Per person consumption is forecast to rise to 2.1 litres in 2012, and this increase is present in all countries apart from Australia, which sees a very small decline.