Kwality Wall’s plans to convert its entire product portfolio from vegetable fat-based frozen desserts to milk-based ice creams by 2027, marking a significant strategic shift for one of India’s largest ice cream brands.
The announcement was made by Peter ter Kulve, Global CEO of The Magnum Ice Cream Company, who described India as the company’s “biggest strategic reset” following the demerger of Unilever’s global ice cream business.
The move reflects changing consumer preferences, with increasing demand for dairy-based products that are often perceived as more natural, premium, and authentic than frozen desserts made using vegetable fats such as palm oil.
“For years, frozen desserts have been a major part of the Indian market. We believe consumers are increasingly looking for real dairy ice cream, and we want to lead that transition,” Kulve indicated while outlining the company’s long-term growth plans for India.
As part of the transformation, Kwality Wall’s will make milk the primary ingredient across its portfolio, aligning the brand more closely with India’s growing dairy consumption trends.
India has emerged as a key focus market for The Magnum Ice Cream Company. Kulve believes the country has the potential to become one of the world’s largest ice cream markets over the next two decades, supported by rising disposable incomes, urbanisation, and relatively low per-capita ice cream consumption.
The company is also investing heavily in cold-chain infrastructure to support future growth. Expansion plans include deploying additional freezers and strengthening distribution networks, particularly in smaller towns and retail outlets where cold storage availability remains limited.
The transition follows the establishment of The Magnum Ice Cream Company as an independent global business and is expected to intensify competition within India’s ice cream sector, where dairy-based offerings are gaining momentum.
Industry observers believe the shift could increase demand for milk procurement while accelerating the broader movement toward dairy-based ice cream products in the country.
With brands such as Magnum, Cornetto and Kwality Wall’s under its umbrella, the company is positioning India at the centre of its next phase of growth while betting on the long-term strength of the country’s dairy ecosystem.