Rising Prevalence of Lactose-Intolerance Population and Increasing Popularity of Organic Products Fuels the Market Growth

Plant-based ice cream market is attributed to the high demand of dairy free, vegan and healthier frozen dessert. According to one of the reports, approximately 65% of the human population has experienced reduced ability to digest lactose and is most prevalent among Asia population, around 70 to 100% is affected in the eastern region of Asia. Leads to increasing consumers preference for dairy-free, vegan and healthier frozen desserts, resulting in the development of a wide range of unique and indulgent plant-based ice cream flavours using ingredients such as coconut milk, almonds, cashews and oats in market players. For instance, in June 2023, Oatly produced vegan, oat-based vanilla flavour ice cream, designed for lactose-intolerance consumers.

Furthermore, notable trends in the plant-based industry, with the growing popularity of organic milk, organic ice cream has gained popularity, resulting in expanding innovation for the production of new flavour alternatives in plant-based ice cream by market players and consumers are accessing these through a variety of sales channels and driving the growth of the market. For instance, in March 2023, Planet Food Global launched hemp-based organic vegan ice cream, made with organic hemp milk and plant-based ingredients, these are allergen-free desert, free from soy, gluten, dairy and GMO ingredients, available in butter pea cans, chocolate, coffee chips and vanilla flavour.
Plant-based Ice Cream Market

Increasing Innovation and Product Diversity in Food Technology Fuels the Market Growth

Increasingly exploration of plant-based ice cream, such as low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and lactose-free, due to an increasing health conscious population results in increasing distribution channels and development wide range of unique and indulgent plant-based ice cream flavours using ingredients such as coconut milk, almond, cashew and oats by companies. For instance, in February 2023, Keventer launched vegan ice cream that is 100% plant-based and is gluten-free, with no added artificial flavours, making it an excellent choice for lactose-intolerant consumers, available in vegan strawberry and vegan dark chocolate, providing rich creamy and delightful experience made from coconut milk, including dairy allergies.

Furthermore, advances in food technology in the production of plant-based ice cream and to cater diverse consumer base appealing to those seeking both traditional and novel taste experiences in plant-based ice cream category expands the market leading to introduction of novel products by market players. For instance, in June 2023, Out of This World launched new vegan ice cream, made from solein, a microbial protein made by Finnish Firm Solar Foods, in conjunction with scientists at European space agency, labelling as most sustainable protein as it doesn’t use any animal products as well as photosynthetic plants.

Recent Trends in the Plant-Based Icecream Market Industry:

  • Increasing demand for dairy-free products due to increasing lactose-intolerance population
  • Increasing demand for keto, gluten free products
  • Rising demand for rich flavours with creative topping
  • Growing demand for low sugar and less processed ingredients
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Complication in Product Formulation and Rising Health Concern Hampers the Market Growth

Formulation of plant-based ice creams is more complicated than traditional counterparts, resulting in high processing costs, in addition removing dairy from ice cream further results in complicated food label as additional components are needed to achieve the desired flavor and consistency. These elements can cause risk to the market performance, of plant-based ice creams, resulting in increasing competition with traditional ice cream, with easy availability at a reasonable price, having better distribution channels and large consumer base.

Furthermore, rising health issues cases due to increasing contaminations in ice cream is impacting the market growth leading to hampering distribution channel and less selling. For instance, in June 2024, multiple product recalls has registered against different brands of ice cream, such as from Owings Mills, Cool Totally, Inc., Maryland due to the risk of contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. This bacterium is capable of causing severe lethal illness in elders and children and those with compromised immune systems. While healthy people might only experience mild symptoms like a high fever, intense headache, muscle stiffness, nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea, and can result in miscarriages in pregnant women.

Shifting Consumers Flavour Preference in Dairy-Free Frozen Dessert Led to Rise in Market Growth

Increasing consumer preference based on the flavour and creative mixing and toppings, is rising demand for dairy-free options, propelling market players to launch low sugar, less processed ingredients in the market. For instance, in February 2023, magnum launched blueberry centre cookie ice cream, having vegan vanilla biscuit flavour ice cream, dipped with vegan chocolate coating and crunching cookie pieces. Other available vegan options include classic sticks, almonds, raspberry swirl, sea salt caramel flavour.

Additionally, increasing consumption of fruit bars, keto ice creams, and non-dairy products has driven the market growth, to fulfil the growing demand of consumers manufacturers are introducing new novel plant-based ice cream ranges and expanding the market growth. For instance, in June 2022, Wildgood launched caramelised fig-based ice cream first non-dairy frozen dessert made from extra virgin oil, Mediterranean-inspired featured with rich and scrumptious fig jam, balanced with brown sugar that creates an irresistible combination, available in flavours such as mango, pistachio, chocolate hazelnut, coffee and more.
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Growing Lactose-Intolerance Population in Asia-Pacific Is Expanding Market Growth

The increasing population of health-conscious population and the rising introduction of novel plant-based ice creams expand the market in the U.S.  For instance, in June 2024, McDonald’s launched dairy-free, vegan frozen ice cream, available in chocolate and strawberry orange flavor, described as creamy and smooth.   Additionally, in Europe, plant-based ice creams are growing in popularity despite being high in price point as compared to conventional ice cream and formulation obstacles, due to growing environmental issues concerned, to avoid animal-based products for moral reasons.  Many top market players are launching vegan, dairy-free ice creams in different flavors that attract large consumer base and accelerate the market of plant-based ice cream.  For instance, in June 2023, Drunk Drinks, a Sweden company received a patent to introduce ice cream made from potatoes, rapeseed oil, and vegetable protein emulsions, resulting in increasing market opportunities by expanding market growth.  However, the plant-based ice cream market in Asia-Pacific is set to witness the highest growth, due to the highest lactose-intolerance population, resulting in the launches of different products according to customers preferences. For instance, in November 2022, REHOVOT launched chickpea protein-based ice cream.  Such factors led to the development and launches of innovative plant-based ice-creams.
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The report provides a detailed overview of the plant-based ice cream market insights in regions including North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Oceania, and the Middle East and Africa. The country-specific assessment for plant-based ice cream market has been offered for all regional market share, along with forecasts, market scope estimates, price point assessment, and impact analysis of prominent countries and regions. Throughout this market research report, Y-o-Y growth and CAGR estimates are also incorporated for every country and region, to provide a detailed view of the plant-based ice cream market. These Y-o-Y projections on regional and country-level markets brighten the political, economic and business environment outlook, which are anticipated to have a substantial impact on the growth of the plant-based ice cream market. Some key country and region included in the plant-based ice cream market report as follows:
Regions Countries
North America United States, Canada
Latin America Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Central America Countries, Caribbean Countries, Rest of Latin America
Europe Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Poland, Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden, Austria, Norway, Denmark, Czech Republic, Rest of Europe
Asia Pacific China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia & New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Bangladesh, Rest of Asia Pacific
Middle East and Africa GCC Countries, South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, Ethiopia, Algeria, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Rest of MEA

Plant Based Ice-cream Market Research Report Covers In-depth Analysis on:

  • Plant-based ice cream market detailed segments and segment-wise market breakdown
  • Plant-based ice cream market dynamics (recent industry trends, drivers, restraints, growth potential, opportunities in plant-based ice cream market industry)
  • Current, historical and forthcoming 10 years market valuation in terms of plant-based ice cream market size (us$ Mn), volume (Units), share (%), Y-o-Y growth rate, CAGR (%) analysis
  • Plant-based ice cream market demand analysis
  • Plant-based ice cream market pricing analysis over forecast period (by key segment and by region)
  • Plant-based ice cream market regional insights with region-wise market breakdown
  • Competitive analysis – key companies profiling including their market share, product offerings, and competitive strategies.
  • Latest developments and innovations in plant-based ice cream market
  • Regulatory landscape by key regions and key countries
  • Supply chain and value chain analysis in plant-based ice cream market
  • Plant-based ice cream market sales and distribution strategies
  • A comprehensive overview of parent market
  • A detailed viewpoint on plant-based ice cream market forecast by countries
  • Mergers and acquisitions in plant-based ice cream market
  • Essential information to enhance market position
  • Robust research methodology

- Frequently Asked Questions -

What are the key trends in the plant-based ice cream market?

The plant-based ice cream market is seeing growth in demand due to increasing veganism, health consciousness, and environmental concerns. Innovations in flavors and ingredients continue to drive product development.

What factors are driving the plant-based ice cream market growth?

The primary factors include rising vegan and lactose-intolerant populations, growing health awareness, and increasing environmental concerns related to dairy farming and its impact on climate change.

What is the future outlook for the plant-based ice cream market?

The plant-based ice cream market is expected to grow rapidly due to changing dietary preferences, increasing awareness about environmental sustainability, and the availability of more diverse and innovative plant-based options.