Popular treat in decline as people opt for healthier lifestyles
I think we can all agree that ice cream is the go-to treat for many.
The creamy deliciousness that is ice cream means it’s a favourite among the young and old. In toher words, it’s always a crowd-pleaser.
So we were surprised when we read that global ice cream sales have recently seen a large drop – and apparently it has all got to do with our healthy eating habits.
A new report from market research firm Mintel has revealed that global sales fell from 15.6 billion litres in 2015 to 13 billion litres in 2016. That’s a drop of 2.6 billion litres (or 16.7 per cent) in a year.
So what is going on? Have we lost our taste for the sugary treat?
Not quite, people are becoming much more conscious of their sugar consumption. Coupled with the fact there’s been growth in alternatives such as gelato, yoghurt and dairy-free versions.
Alex Beckett, global food and drink analyst at Mintel said: “More people are aware of the sugar content of food they are eating now. They are going into the ice cream chiller with their diet in mind.
“While the industry is very competitive, prices have also had to go up due to cost hikes. People are eating less ice cream but when they do buy it, they want the good stuff – for example gelatos or Magnums.
“It’s a treat so it will always appeal, but people are opting for quality over buying a litre tub.
“Premium yoghurts are also becoming a more acceptable dessert.”
Do you like ice cream? What’s your favourite flavour? Let us know in the comments below.