Ice cream in February

This time of year, ice cream may not be uppermost on consumers’ minds, but as most processors know, summer is the key time for ice cream consumption. Or is it? In the February issue, we explore how ice cream is moving from being a seasonal treat to an all year round indulgence. Consumers now prefer to eat ice cream that is both good for you and a tasty treat. Norman Dunn also takes a look at the German ice cream market, with the emergence of DMK Eis, one of the larger ice cream companies in Europe, and R&R’s recent purchase of Durigon of Germany.

Germany has also been the source of the biggest story in Europe recently, that of Müller taking over Robert Wiseman Dairies of Scotland. This €334.6m deal is set to change the face of European dairying. The long-awaited consolidation of the European market looks set to continue – watch this space. Some observers say it’s long overdue, and I sense that more consolidation is coming, particularly on the Continent.

Germany is also seeing increases in cheese consumption, up 200 grams per person to 23 kilos per annum. This is not due to an increase in the traditional cheeses, but rather, as is seen in other countries, an increase in pizza and other cheese-topped foods consumption. The trend towards cheese-topped and filled items will change the way some cheese makers do business, I suspect.

Meanwhile, further afield in Thailand, the country has emerged from the devastating floods of late 2011 in order to resume dairy business as usual. CP-Meiji is expanding production for pasteurized milk, as the country develops a taste for the fresh product versus the long-life versions.

All very exciting things that can be read about in February Dairy Industries International. Look out for your copy!