Even before the scorching heat of summer fully arrives, a perennial favourite is already causing a stir in dessert cravings. Ice cream brands are experiencing a surge in sales this month, indicating a 15% growth across the state of Gujarat in February alone.
Major ice cream manufacturers in the region anticipate that sales figures between March and June will surpass all previous records. This surge is expected to be driven by both in-house consumption and demand from the hotels, restaurants, and catering (HoReCa) segment.
The decision by India’s largest FMCG brand, Amul, to invest Rs 1,000 crore in expanding its manufacturing capacity underscores the anticipated demand for ice cream this summer. The investment includes the establishment of new plants and the expansion of existing facilities.
“We have initiated the setup of new plants in six locations, including Kutch, Surendranagar, Taloja, Pune, Ujjain, and Varanasi, thereby increasing our total ice cream plant locations to 25 from 19 last season,” stated Jayen Mehta, Managing Director of the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF).
The proactive measures taken by industry leaders like Amul indicate a promising season ahead for ice cream sales, setting the stage for a summer filled with cool treats and record-breaking consumption levels.