The Indian ice cream market is set to experience a surge in demand due to the ongoing heatwave and summer season. Havmor Ice Cream, a leading player in the market, is introducing new products and scaling up production to meet the rising demand. The company is also leveraging its new state-of-the-art plant in Pune to increase production capacity.
Baskin-Robbins, another major player in the market, has seen consistent double-digit growth in India and is capitalizing on the demand surge. The company has set up a new manufacturing facility and opened over 1,000 locations in India and the SAARC region to cope with the growing demand.
The rise of quick commerce has also played a significant role in the growth of the ice cream market, with platforms like Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart providing seamless last-mile delivery. This has increased the accessibility of ice cream and has led to impulse buying, with consumers wanting to buy and consume ice cream quickly.
Industry experts are optimistic about the category’s growth potential, driven by rising disposable incomes, evolving consumer preferences, and innovation. They also expect the category to be fueled by premiumization and deeper market penetration, as well as the growth of channels like quick commerce.
However, there are also challenges ahead, such as the potential strain on production facilities and cold chain infrastructure, as well as the possibility of disruptions due to erratic weather patterns like early monsoons. Despite these challenges, the industry is expected to continue growing, with companies like Emami, Varun Beverages, and Hindustan Unilever set to benefit from the demand surge in adjacent categories such as cola, talcum powder, and cooling hair oils.
Overall, the Indian ice cream market is poised for significant growth, driven by innovation, premiumization, and the growth of quick commerce and other channels.