Vegan ice cream on the rise with growth of private label, start-ups and new products from established brands

Unilever’s Magnum brand has announced it is also expanding its Mini and Vegan ranges in 2023, with Mini Double Caramel Collection and Vegan Raspberry Swirl.

The Minis range has also been given a new ‘premium; look for 2023, including front-of-pack calorie information.

Jennifer Dyne, Unilever’s UK & Ireland head of ice cream, said: “We will continue to expand our Vegan and Minis range with exciting new flavours. In order to create sustainable category growth, we need to continue to expand and deliver across formats and consumer needs – these ranges do just that by offering Magnum indulgence to new users and occasions​.

“Insight-led innovation is vitally important to the ice cream category, creating a sense of excitement for shoppers and ensuring it remains relevant to evolving consumer trends and flavour profiles​.”

Veganuary

With ‘Veganuary’ attracting more converts to a plant-based diet chocolate more companies are coming up with alternatives for the frozen aisle and according to fresh research carried out by the German Confectionery Industry (BDSI), vegan ice cream is also enjoying increasing popularity in Germany.

According to information from the market research institute NielsenIQ, sales in German food retailing for multipacks and household packs continued to increase in 2022. From approximately €75.0 million in 2020 and €81.0 million in 2021, sales of vegan ice cream have already risen to €88.8 million in 2022.

The market share in the ice cream chests of the German trade, measured by sales, has grown from 4.3% to 4.9% in the same period.

Consumers are now spoiled for choice when it comes to alternatives with a wide range of vegan ice cream, both from classic brands and private label manufacturers, but also from many start-ups.

The rise of private label brands and the rising popularity of vegan ice cream among millennials will also lead to sizable demand in the market, analysts predict

The basis for plant-based ice cream variants can be almonds, oats, peas or soy, with a pea protein alternative (instead of milk protein).

The UK-based non-profit organisation ‘Veganuary’ mobilised more than 629,000 people in over 200 countries and regions to eat vegan in January 2022 with its campaign of the same name.