European ice cream production continued to grow in 2025, with EU manufacturers producing 3.44 billion litres of ice cream — a 1.9% increase compared with the previous year, according to new figures from Eurostat.

The latest data provides a snapshot of the scale of the European ice cream manufacturing sector, while also highlighting differences in production and international trade between member states.

Germany was the EU’s largest ice cream producer in 2025, manufacturing 608 million litres. Italy followed with 549 million litres, while France produced 525 million litres.

Italy recorded the strongest year-on-year growth among the three leading producers, with output increasing by 10% compared with 2024. The figures underline the continuing importance of the three countries to the EU’s ice cream production base.

The sector also recorded growth in trade outside the EU. Extra-EU exports of ice cream reached 289.8 million kg in 2025, representing a 10% increase on the previous year.

France was the leading EU exporter, accounting for 20% of extra-EU ice cream exports. The Netherlands followed with 15%, while Germany and Belgium each accounted for 11%.

At the same time, EU imports of ice cream from outside the bloc increased by 12% in 2025. The rise in both exports and imports points to continued movement of frozen products across international markets.

The figures provide a useful indication of the scale and geographical distribution of an established European category. With production exceeding three billion litres annually and international trade also increasing, ice cream remains a significant part of the region’s food manufacturing landscape.

The data also highlights how production is concentrated among Europe’s major manufacturing markets, with Germany, Italy and France together accounting for almost half of total EU output.

Eurostat’s figures offer a measurable picture of production growth and international trade across the wider ice cream manufacturing sector.