Italian Gelato Institute: in the first eight months 2026 boom in packaged ice cream sales

The Italian Gelato Institute has released new data on packaged ice cream in Italy and abroad, which provide a snapshot of a rapidly growing sector – also driven by an exceptionally hot summer – and of a product that is increasingly present in the habits of Italians and beyond.

A sector going from strength to strength

The figures released by the Italian Gelato Institute describe a thriving sector. In 2025, 261.000 tonnes of packaged ice cream were produced in Italy, worth approximately 3 billion euros, while sales reached approximately 3 billion and 400 million portions (data from Unione Italiana Food and NielsenIQ – total Italy), with per-capita consumption close to 3 kg.

And 2026 confirms the positive trend: in the first eight months of the year, packaged sales in the retail channel recorded a +9% compared with the same period in 2025 (source: NielsenIQ – total Italy). Growth that is even more significant when viewed in the European context. In 2025, Italian production increased by 10% in volume compared with 2024, the highest rate among the five largest producers in the European Union. Italy is now second in Europe for production volumes, behind Germany and ahead of France (Eurostat data, referring to 2025).

Consumption outside the home

The signals are positive outside the home too: in the summer of 2026, takeaway ice cream had, up to June, come close to a 4% increase in volume compared with the previous year (data from Unione Italiana Food, January–June 2026/2025), supported by an extremely extensive distribution network reaching more than 100.000 bars from the north to the south of the country.

The Sports Nutrition Manifesto

These figures were released on the occasion of the presentation of the Sports Nutrition Manifesto, produced by the Italian Gelato Institute: a journey through calorie requirements, nutritional balance, hydration, digestibility, nutrition before and after training, and recovery, to understand what place a rewarding food such as ice cream can also find within a varied and balanced diet.

“Packaged ice cream is undoubtedly a trusted ally for everyone who engages in sporting activity,” comments Michelangelo Giampietro, president of the Italian Gelato Institute and specialist in Food Science and Sports Medicine. “The water contained in all ice creams – especially ice lollies and granitas – contributes to replacing the fluids lost during physical exercise as a result of increased sweating. The sugars, proteins and fats present in ice cream help meet athletes’ nutritional needs, especially, but not only, during the muscle recovery phase. High hygiene standards and the absence of preservatives make ice cream a tasty, enjoyable and safe food, suitable for athletes of any age, who can consume it at any time of day, including as a treat, to replenish physical and mental energy.”

From sport to solidarity

This exceptionally hot summer was also an opportunity to strengthen the social commitment of the companies belonging to the Italian Gelato Institute. In collaboration with Caritas, approximately 46.000 ice creams were donated to people in vulnerable circumstances in several Italian cities, including Turin, Rome, Cagliari, Pescara and Florence.

This article was translated from the original Italian version with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In case of discrepancies, please refer to the original Italian version.