The global ice cream market is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by a powerful consumer shift towards health and wellness. This trend is manifesting in the rapid growth of the low-calorie ice cream segment, which is seeing increased investment and innovation from major manufacturers like General Mills and Unilever.
In India, this trend is exemplified by Heritage Foods’ recent acquisition of a 51% stake in Get-A-Way, a brand known for its no-added-sugar, high-protein healthy desserts. Heritage Foods’ CEO sees this as a strategic move to tap into the Gen Z market, with health-focused desserts projected to grow from 1-2% to 10% of the total ice cream market in the next five years.
Simultaneously, the premium segment is being redefined by the rise of Gelato. Particularly in China, Gelato has taken social media by storm, with billions of views on platforms like Xiaohongshu. Its popularity is attributed to a perception of being a more natural and artisanal product, with lower Fat content and fewer stabilizers compared to traditional industrial ice cream. Brands like “Wild Man Mr.” “Wild Man Mr.” have rapidly expanded to over 900 stores by leveraging this health and quality narrative.