Just the Facts

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day. He recognized ice cream as a fun and nutritious food that is enjoyed by a full 90% of the nation's population. In the proclamation, President Reagan called for all people of the United States to observe these events with "appropriate ceremonies and activities."

The International Ice Cream Association (IICA) encourages retailers and consumers to celebrate July as National Ice Cream Month. In 2008, National Ice Cream Day will be Sunday, July 20.

ICE CREAM SALES AND TRENDS

Overview

* Total U.S. production of ice cream and related frozen desserts in 2006 amounted to about 1.55 billion gallons, an increase of 0.7% over 2005. Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

* Based on ice cream consumption figures, the top five individual flavors in terms of share of segment in the United States are: vanilla (30%), chocolate (10%), butter pecan (4%), strawberry (3.7%) and chocolate chip mint (3.2%). Source: The NPD Group's National Eating Trends Services

* In 2006*, total U.S. sales of ice cream and frozen desserts reached nearly $23 billion. Of that total, $8.9 billion was spent on products for "at home" consumption, while $13.9 billion was spent on "away from home" frozen dessert purchases (scoop shops, foodservice and other retail sales outlets.) Source: 2007 Dairy Facts/International Ice Cream Association

* Ice cream and related frozen desserts are consumed by more than 90% of households in the United States. Source: Mintel

* According to 2006 U.S. production, regular ice cream accounts for the largest share of the frozen dessert market, at 63.8%. Reduced-fat, light, lowfat and nonfat ice cream account for 23.5% of the market, followed by frozen yogurt (4.3%), water ice (4.3%), sherbet (3.6%) and other (0.5%). Source: USDA

Production

* In 2006, California once again produced the largest volume of ice cream and related frozen desserts in the United States, followed by Texas, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Minnesota. Source: USDA

* The United States leads the world in annual production of ice cream and related frozen desserts at about 1.6 billion gallons in 2006. Source: USDA

* In 2006, about 8% of the milk produced in the U.S. was used to make frozen dairy products. Source: USDA

Sales

* In 2003*, about 86% of packaged ice cream retail sales happened in supermarkets. Convenience store sales were second at 11.4%, drug stores were third at nearly 2%, with 0.6% occurring at other locations. Source: Mintel

* Based on supermarket statistics in 2001*, ice cream volume sales by quality segment were: superpremium (3.5%), premium (51.5%) and regular (45%). Source: IRI

* Nearly 80% of supermarket ice cream sales are packaged in half-gallon containers. Source: IRI, 2001*

Novelties

* Novelties are separately packaged single servings of a frozen dessert - such as ice cream sandwiches, fudge sticks, fruit and juice bars - that may or may not contain dairy ingredients.

* The total frozen novelty market in 2004* was valued at $2.4 billion, up 1.3% over 2003. Source: IRI Magazine

* In 2003*, about 62% of American households purchased novelties. Source: Mintel

* Mirroring a similar trend in ice cream, vanilla is the top flavor for novelties, with more than 27% of the volume share. Fudge is the next highest stand-alone flavor share, with nearly 8%. Source: IRI, 2001*

* In 2001 supermarket sales*, ice cream bars (25%) were the largest dollar market share of the frozen novelty market, followed by yogurt novelties (20%) frozen ice (14.1%) ice cream sandwiches (13.5%), and ice cream cones (10%). Source: IRI

International Review

* Total U.S. exports of ice cream reached more than 26,500 metric tons in 2006 - worth about $60 million. Source: USDA/International Ice Cream Association

* In 2006, Mexico was the single largest market for U.S. frozen dessert exports, with an estimated value of almost $24 million. Canada was the number two destination for U.S. frozen dessert exports, valued at $5.7 million. The United Kingdom ($3.6 million), The Bahamas ($2 million) and Hong Kong ($2.8 million) are third, fourth and fifth respectively. Source: USDA/International Ice Cream Association

* latest figures available to the International Ice Cream Association from the International Dairy Food Association