China Ice Cream Market to Surpass $33.03 Billion by 2033 Amid Premiumization and Urban Lifestyle Shifts

China Ice Cream Market Overview
The ice cream market in China is undergoing rapid changes due to shifting customer preferences and cultural influences. Premium and artisanal ice creams, which often feature traditional Chinese flavors such as matcha, black sesame, and red bean, are increasingly attracting urban consumers. Additionally, people are becoming increasingly health-conscious, which is driving up demand for plant-based, low-fat, and low-sugar foods. While international businesses compete by catering to local tastes, domestic firms are fusing innovation with cultural authenticity. Accessibility has increased significantly with the rise of e-commerce, as internet platforms have made ice cream more accessible outside of large cities. The industry continues to expand, offering a diverse range of products that cater to both pleasure and wellness trends as lifestyles become more contemporary and disposable incomes rise.

Product Type
• Artisanal
• Impulse
• Take Home

According to Renub Research, by 2033, the Chinese ice cream industry is projected to have grown from US$ 19.16 billion in 2024 to an anticipated US$ 33.03 billion by 2033. From 2025 to 2033, this growth translates into a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.24%.

Flavor Type
• Vanilla
• Chocolate
• Fruit
• Others

Key information covered in the report.
Base Year - 2024
Historical Period - 2021-2024
Market Forecast - 2025-2033
Market - US$ Billion

Request a free sample copy of the report: https://www.renub.com/china-ice-cream-market-p.php

Age-group
• Kids & Babies
• Tweens & Early Teens
• Early Young Adults
• Older Young Adults
• Pre-Mid-Lifers
• Mid-Lifers
• Older Consumers

Rising Disposable Income
One major factor driving the expansion of the ice cream market is the increasing disposable income of Chinese consumers. The demand for luxury and high-end goods has increased as consumers' purchasing power has increased. Customers are willing to pay extra for premium ice cream with distinctive tastes, natural ingredients, or creative packaging. In metropolitan locations, where middle- and upper-class families seek convenience and luxury in their food choices, this tendency is particularly noticeable. In China, disposable personal income climbed from 49282.94 CNY in 2022 to 51821 CNY in 2023. A broader shift in lifestyle is reflected in this income increase, which enables customers to place a higher value on experience and quality over price. Consequently, China's ice cream industry is evolving, with high-end products gaining popularity and influencing consumer preferences.

Category
• Sticks/Bars
• Cones & Cups
• Tubs & Bricks
• Others

Did Ice Cream come from China?
A million-dollar question now... Although there are myths surrounding its origins, establishing the true origins of ice cream isn't easy. It's unlikely that Marco Polo took it back from China in his knapsack, next to the pasta. There are other stories of frozen sweets being consumed by the Persians (as early as 550 BC), the ancient Greeks, and the Romans in the first century.
Records indicate that affluent Chinese families fed their visitors juice and crushed ice around 3,000 years ago. However, as one of the first recorded recipes dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), one could argue that, in a way, the answer to the question "Did ice cream originate from China?" should be yes. However, that most definitely wasn't in its current sweet and creamy shape!

Distribution Channel
• Supermarkets and Hypermarkets
• Convenience Store
• Specialist Retailers
• Online Retail Stores
• Others

Return of the 5-yuan ice cream era
Nothing compares to indulging in a delectable frozen dessert when summer temperatures rise. The popular "heat-beating magic wand"-ice cream-has begun its busiest selling season.
Consumer preferences in the ice cream industry have shifted in 2024, as evidenced by the sharp decline in the once-popular "ice cream assassins" (expensive ice creams). Instead, the market is currently dominated by goods that cost less than 5 yuan ($0.69).
A new growth driver is the emergence of inexpensive, inventive, and healthful ice creams, as consumers place greater demands on quality and value for their money.
Moutai introduced two ice cream varieties in 2022: vanilla Moutai and original Moutai. Each flavor costs 39 yuan per serving, and the company claims that each one includes Moutai liquor. In 2022, they were frequently sold out, and people were observed waiting in line to purchase them on social media. Reports from the media indicate that, despite this year's discounts, Moutai ice cream has not garnered much attention. "Ice creams were delicious and used to cost 0.5 or 1-2 yuan apiece. I no longer enjoy eating them because some of them come in gaudy packaging and are quite expensive.

China Ice Cream Market Industry Developments
A strong growth trajectory is evident in the recent trends of the China ice cream market, as demand for high-end and creative flavors increases. In line with customer preferences for healthier alternatives, Yili Group introduced new ice cream varieties to its lineup in October 2023, aiming to appeal to health-conscious consumers. By improving product distribution routes and forming key alliances, Nestlé is expanding its global presence. Mengniu Dairy announced in late August 2023 that it would be partnering with a local company to adopt advanced manufacturing technologies, aiming to increase productivity and quality. Meanwhile, Haagen-Dazs has experienced a notable expansion in cities, suggesting a shift in customer tastes toward upscale ice cream experiences.
Regarding mergers and acquisitions, Unilever's acquisition of a local ice cream brand in June 2023 represents a calculated step to enter the Chinese market further. Consumer tastes have also been influenced by businesses like Sunlit's growing emphasis on environmental sustainability, which has prompted manufacturers to adopt eco-friendly practices. The China Ice Cream Market is expected to continue rising in the upcoming years due to the country's expanding middle class and consumers' desire for a wide variety of flavors.

Company Analysis:
• Meiji Co. Ltd.
• General Mills Inc.
• Yili Group
• Unilever Group
• Mondelez International, Inc.
• Nestlé SA

Region Wise China Ice Cream Market
Significant geographical variance is evident in the Chinese ice cream industry due to variations in customer preferences, socioeconomic levels, and climate. Due to increased disposable incomes, urbanization, and exposure to high-end, global brands, Eastern China, which includes cities such as Shanghai and Hangzhou, leads the world in consumption. Demand is high in northern regions, such as Beijing and Tianjin, particularly for seasonal and traditional goods. Due to their warmer weather, Guangdong and Shenzhen, as well as other parts of southern China, prefer lighter, tropical-flavored alternatives. The expansion of retail availability and growing awareness of high-end items are driving slower but increasing growth in the Western regions. Overall, sales are dominated by urban centers, but due to improved distribution and shifting consumer preferences, branded and packaged products are slowly gaining popularity in rural regions.

Region
• East China
• South China
• North China
• West China
• Central China
• Northeast China

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