Domestic producers of ice cream in the first half of this year increased the volume of supplies to foreign markets by 22%, according to Soyuzmoloko.

"Last year exports of ice cream increased by 17% in volume and by 22% in half of 2021 and have already exceeded 2019 volumes," said Artem Belov, director general of Soyuzmoloko.

The main importers of the cold dessert were not only post-Soviet countries, but also the United States, which bought 5.8 thousand tons, Canada (1.7 thousand tons) and China (over 1 thousand tons). Moreover, in China Russia has already become one of the top 8 major suppliers of ice cream.

On the whole the geography of Russian ice-cream supplies expanded to more than 40 countries including EU, Southeast Asia and Africa.

Also Soyuzmoloko together with Milknews and Streda Consulting and with the support of the Russian Union of Ice Cream Producers made a rating of the largest producers of this dessert in the country. Thus, the top 20 was headed by Unilever (Inmarko) with the production volume of 48.3 thousand tons. The second place went to Renna Group (43 thousand tons), which is rapidly reducing the gap with the first place, providing a growth of 16%.

The Aisberry group with the volume of 37 thousand tons rounded out the top three. Also in the top five were Russian Cold Group and Froneri, a joint venture between Nestle and R&R Ice Cream.

According to Aleksey Gruzdev, the general director of Streda Consulting, the companies making the top ten list occupy almost 60% of the market. This trend will continue to strengthen, the expert predicts.

"Decreasing profitability amid sharply rising costs and stagnant domestic demand amid weak income dynamics require more and more effort and expertise from companies to find growth drivers, which will inevitably lead to the departure of weaker players from the market," - says Soyuzmoloko.

Made in Russia / Made in Russia

Author: Ksenia Gustova