Record heat is boosting packaged ice cream sales in Italy: +9% in the first eight months of 2026
The summer of 2026, marked by particularly high temperatures, has fueled Italians' desire for gelato, rewarding a sector that continues to show growth.
The sector is coming off a particularly strong 2025. Last year, packaged ice cream production in Italy reached 261,000 tons, generating an economic value of €3 billion. Per capita consumption also reached nearly 3 kilograms in 2025, while overall sales on the Italian market reached 3.4 billion servings.
Analysts also note that in 2025, domestic ice cream production grew by 10% in volume compared to 2024, recording the highest growth rate among the five main producing countries in the European Union. Eurostat data also shows that Italy, with 549 million liters produced, is Europe's second-largest ice cream producer, behind Germany (608 million liters) and ahead of France (525 million liters).
The event also highlighted the social commitment of the Italian Gelato Institute's member companies, who collaborated with Caritas to donate nearly 46,000 gelatos to vulnerable people. The donations were distributed in several Italian cities, including Turin, Rome, Cagliari, Pescara, and Florence. This gesture supports the sector's growth during a season when gelato remains a key component of Italian consumption.
