Ice Cream Trends on the Rise for 2021

Non-dairy lines accounts for 10% of all ice cream introductions.
Non-dairy lines accounts for 10% of all ice cream introductions.
Photo by Wesual Click

Innova Market Insights has released its report on ice cream trends ranging from non-dairy to flavors and everything in between.

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Innova reports that the biggest trend for ice cream is flavor, even with ice cream alternatives such as non-dairy, taste choices remain an important factor. Consumers are even rating taste to be more important in healthier recipes, as it helps give an indulgent flavor.

For example, salted caramel is one of the biggest winners in recent flavor development, rising to fifth in the flavor rankings in 2020. However, its penetration in non-dairy ice cream is more than twice as high as in regular dairy ice cream.

The non-dairy ice cream trend is seeing launch numbers that have increased at a CAGR of almost 30% over 2016 to 2020. The non-dairy lines now account for 10% of all ice cream introductions. This rises to as much as one-quarter of all activity in North America and one-fifth of launches in Australasia.

Low sugar formulations are also gaining ground, reaching penetration of 6% of launches in 2020.

Lu Ann Williams, director of innovation at Innova Market Insights, said, “The development of more natural sweeteners has attracted more attention to sugar reduction. Artificial sweeteners have steadily lost ground, and erythritol, stevia and monk fruit are now the top three choices in low sugar and sugar-free ice cream.”

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