The European ice cream industry entered a new growth trajectory last year, according to data published today by Eurostat. In 2025, ice cream production in the European Union reached 3.44 billion liters, marking an increase of 1.9% compared to 2024, when it was 3.38 billion liters.
Germany in the lead, but Italy is "running" faster
In the ranking of the largest producers in the Union, Germany remains in first place, with 608 million liters in 2025, followed by Italy (549 million liters) and France (525 million liters). The top 5 producers also include Spain (457 million liters) and Belgium (274 million liters).
It is worth noting that all five of these countries recorded an increase in their production compared to 2024, where the main role was not played by Germany, but by Italy, where production increased by 10%.
France first in exports
Beyond production, Eurostat data also shed light on the sector's trade balance. In 2025, EU countries exported 289.8 million kilograms of ice cream to third countries, while importing 77.8 million kilograms. Exports increased by 10% compared to 2024 (+26 million kilograms), while imports increased by 12% (+8.5 million kilograms), an indication that demand, both inside and outside the Union, is growing.
In exports, the reins are firmly held by France, which was also the largest exporter of ice cream to the EU last year, with 59.1 million kilograms to third countries, i.e. a fifth (20%) of all EU exports. This is followed by Italy (55.2 million kilograms, 19%), Belgium (34.5 million kilograms, 12%), Germany (29.9 million kilograms, 10%) and the Netherlands (26.5 million kilograms, 9%).
Eurostat notes that Cyprus, Luxembourg and Malta are exempt from the obligation to provide data on production due to the size of their economies, while data on sold production remains confidential for Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia and Sweden. Production is recorded in litres, while trade (imports-exports) in kilograms. ©LAPSI.al
