In 2023, the European Union's ice cream production dropped by 1.4% to 3.2 billion litres, down from 3.3 billion litres in 2022.
Germany led production with 612 million litres, followed by France at 568 million litres and Italy at 527 million litres.
Germany not only produced the most ice cream but also offered the lowest average price at €1.80 per litre. France's average price was €2.20 per litre, while Italy's was €2.60. Austria had the highest average price at €7.70 per litre, with Hungary and Greece also having higher prices at €4.80 and €3.70 per litre, respectively.
Lithuania provided the cheapest ice cream at €1.90 per litre, followed by Czechia at €2.00 and Sweden at €2.10.
In terms of exports, EU countries sent 261 million kg of ice cream to non-EU markets, worth €1.04 billion, marking a 5% increase from 2022. France was the largest exporter, sending 52 million kg, representing 20% of the EU's total exports. The Netherlands, Germany, Italy, and Ireland followed, contributing 14%, 11%, 11%, and 9% of the EU's ice cream exports, respectively. Imports from non-EU countries totaled 56 million kg, valued at €217 million, a decrease of 8% from the previous year.
Read more: Eurostat reports
(Source: Eurostat)