BACKGROUNDER
Media Contact:
Marti Pupillo
202-737-IDFA
www.idfa.org

JUST THE FACTS: ICE CREAM SALES AND TRENDS

• Total U.S. production of ice cream and related frozen desserts in 2006 amounted to about 1.55 billion gallons, an increase of 0.7% over 2005. Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
• Based on ice cream consumption figures, the top five individual flavors in terms of share of segment in the United States are: vanilla (30%), chocolate (10%), butter pecan (4%), strawberry (3.7%) and chocolate chip mint (3.2%). Source: The NPD Group's National Eating Trends Services
• In 2006*, total U.S. sales of ice cream and frozen desserts reached nearly $23 billion. Of that total, $8.9 billion was spent on products for "at home" consumption, while $13.9 billion was spent on "away from home" frozen dessert purchases (scoop shops, foodservice and other retail sales outlets.) Source: 2007 Dairy Facts/International Ice Cream Association
• Ice cream and related frozen desserts are consumed by more than 90% of households in the United States. Source: Mintel
• According to 2006 U.S. production, regular ice cream accounts for the largest share of the frozen dessert market, at 63.8%. Reduced-fat, light, lowfat and nonfat ice cream account for 23.5% of the market, followed by frozen yogurt (4.3%), water ice (4.3%), sherbet (3.6%) and other (0.5%). Source: USDA

Production

• In 2006, California once again produced the largest volume of ice cream and related frozen desserts in the United States, followed by Texas, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Minnesota. Source: USDA
• The United States leads the world in annual production of ice cream and related frozen desserts at about 1.6 billion gallons in 2006. Source: USDA
• In 2006, about 8% of the milk produced in the U.S. was used to make frozen dairy products. Source: USDA

Sales

• In 2003*, about 86% of packaged ice cream retail sales happened in supermarkets. Convenience store sales were second at 11.4%, drug stores were third at nearly 2%, with 0.6% occurring at other locations. Source: Mintel
• Based on supermarket statistics in 2001*, ice cream volume sales by quality segment were: superpremium (3.5%), premium (51.5%) and regular (45%). Source: IRI
• Nearly 80% of supermarket ice cream sales are packaged in half-gallon containers. Source: IRI, 2001*

Novelties

• Novelties are separately packaged single servings of a frozen dessert - such as ice cream sandwiches, fudge sticks, fruit and juice bars - that may or may not contain dairy ingredients.
• The total frozen novelty market in 2004* was valued at $2.4 billion, up 1.3% over 2003. Source: IRI Magazine
• In 2003*, about 62% of American households purchased novelties. Source: Mintel
• Mirroring a similar trend in ice cream, vanilla is the top flavor for novelties, with more than 27% of the volume share. Fudge is the next highest stand-alone flavor share, with nearly 8%. Source: IRI, 2001*
• In 2001 supermarket sales*, ice cream bars (25%) were the largest dollar market share of the frozen novelty market, followed by yogurt novelties (20%) frozen ice (14.1%) ice cream sandwiches (13.5%), and ice cream cones (10%). Source: IRI

International Review

• Total U.S. exports of ice cream reached more than 26,500 metric tons in 2006 - worth about $60 million. Source: USDA/International Ice Cream Association
• In 2006, Mexico was the single largest market for U.S. frozen dessert exports, with an estimated value of almost $24 million. Canada was the number two destination for U.S. frozen dessert exports, valued at $5.7 million. The United Kingdom ($3.6 million), The Bahamas ($2 million) and Hong Kong ($2.8 million) are third, fourth and fifth respectively. Source: USDA/International Ice Cream Association

###