New Zealand’s ice cream industry is expected to chart steady expansion over the next five years, with market value forecast to climb from USD 745.4 million in 2025 to USD 866.2 million by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate of 3.05%. Growth is being driven by a combination of premiumization, health-conscious consumption, and evolving consumer engagement strategies that are reshaping how brands position themselves in a competitive environment.
Even as household budgets remain constrained, ice cream continues to occupy a space as an affordable indulgence, reinforcing its role as a low-cost luxury. This dynamic is closely tied to consumer willingness to trade up for quality, particularly for products offering distinct flavors, artisanal attributes, or a clear connection to local sourcing. The appeal of unique, regionally inspired offerings has enabled brands to command a price premium, with consumers viewing them as experiences rather than mere commodities.
Rising health and sustainability awareness is also a critical driver. Demand for plant-based ice cream and formulations built around natural ingredients reflects shifting dietary preferences, particularly among younger demographics seeking alignment between indulgence and wellness. Parallel to this, sustainability considerations are shaping purchasing decisions, with environmentally friendly packaging and transparent ingredient sourcing becoming key differentiators. Some producers are further experimenting with functional positioning, introducing low-fat, fruit-based, or nutritionally enhanced options to capture niche but expanding demand.
Innovation is increasingly skewed toward limited editions and differentiated flavors that keep consumer interest high while reinforcing a premium narrative. Seasonal launches and collaborations tied to local culture or ingredients are allowing brands to carve out distinctive identities in a crowded market. At the same time, digital platforms are transforming how these products are marketed. Social media channels, particularly TikTok, are playing a pivotal role in connecting with younger audiences, amplifying new product launches, and creating viral visibility that translates into measurable sales momentum.
The convergence of these factors underscores the dual identity of ice cream in New Zealand as both a functional indulgence and a cultural marker. By combining affordable pleasure with premium and sustainable options, while leveraging digital channels to amplify reach, the industry is positioned to sustain measured but resilient growth through 2030.
This report presents a detailed analysis of the New Zealand ice cream market, offering six years of historical market size data and growth trends, as well as forward-looking estimates through 2030. It explores category-specific and subcategory dynamics, with a sharp focus on developments across product type, category and distribution channel.
Report Highlights
Designed for business leaders and strategists, this report offers a data-rich overview of the New Zealand ice cream market from 2020 to 2030, including actuals for 2020–2024 and projections for 2025–2030. All figures are reported in (Tons/USD), with compound annual growth rates (CAGR) calculated for both periods. The analysis spans key dimensions such as product type, category and distribution channel. This structure enables decision-makers to isolate growth-driving segments and align resource allocation with emerging market opportunities.
In addition to granular market metrics, the report captures the broader structural shifts that define the industry’s trajectory. Using proprietary analysis and cross-referenced economic indicators, it maps the interaction between innovations, policy, and consumption patterns. This enables strategic foresight into future growth zones, disruption risk, and innovation-led differentiation, especially within product-focused and region-specific segments.
The report also delivers a comprehensive evaluation of market share changes and core brand performance among leading players from 2020 to 2024. It reveals competitive dynamics and trends in market concentration, providing granular market share comparisons and trend analyses. This equips users to better understand competitive advantages and challenges, thereby informing differentiated market strategies and investment decisions with robust empirical evidence.
Market Segmentation
The New Zealand ice cream market is structured as follows:
Product type – e.g., artisanal ice cream, frozen yogurt, impulse ice cream, plant-based ice cream, take-home ice cream
Category – e.g., dairy ice cream, water ice cream
Distribution channel – e.g., convenience stores, food specialty stores, foodservice channels, forecourts, small grocery stores, supermarkets, others
Macroeconomic & Demographic Indicators
Supporting context includes:
Total population
Consumer Price Index (CPI)
Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
Per capita consumption
Consumer spending as a percentage of GDP
These variables enhance understanding of consumption potential and macroeconomic trends affecting the market.
Competitive Landscape: Market Share Analysis
The report provides an overview of market share among leading firms in the ice cream sector in New Zealand, reflecting a mix of established brands and emerging competitors. Companies profiled include:
Emerald Foods Ltd.
Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited
Froneri International Limited
General Mills, Inc.
Heller Tasty Ltd.
Joshua’s Ice Cream Ltd.
KiwiCo, Inc
Lewis Road Creamery Ltd
Mondelez International Inc.
Nestle S.A.
New Zealand Natural Ice Cream Limited
OOB Organic
Regal Cream Products Pty. Ltd.
Rush Munro’s
Talleys Group Limited
Talley’s Group Limited
Unilever PLC
This section helps stakeholders evaluate market concentration, identify partnership opportunities, and track shifts in leadership.
Why Choose This Report?
Access accurate and up-to-date market size data for the New Zealand ice cream sector.
Obtain granular insights across key segments, including product type, category and distribution channel.
Understand the underlying market dynamics through expert-driven analysis of growth drivers, barriers, and structural shifts.
Identify attractive investment areas by tracking fast-growing categories and emerging consumption patterns.
Evaluate the competitive landscape to support timing, positioning, and strategic decision-making.
Includes a single-user enterprise license with no additional fees for internal distribution.
Request a redacted sample to preview the data structure and presentation quality before purchase.
Deliverables Include
Professionally structured PDF report
Full EXCEL databook with year-by-year figures and multi-dimensional segmentation from 2020 to 2030
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key Findings
Market Segmentation
Market Overview
New Zealand Ice Cream Market – Product Type Analysis
New Zealand Ice Cream Market – Category Analysis
New Zealand Ice Cream Market – Distribution Channel Analysis
Company Shares Analysis
Emerald Foods Ltd.
Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited
Froneri International Limited
General Mills, Inc.
Heller Tasty Ltd.
Joshua’s Ice Cream Ltd.
KiwiCo, Inc
Lewis Road Creamery Ltd
Mondelez International Inc.
…
Macroeconomic Data and Forecast
Research Methodology
Disclaimer
FIGURES AND TABLES
Table New Zealand Ice Cream Market 2020-2030
Chart New Zealand Ice Cream Market, Net Growth, 2020-2030
Chart New Zealand Ice Cream Market, Growth Rates, 2020-2030
Table New Zealand Ice Cream Market by Product Type, 2020-2030
Chart New Zealand Ice Cream Market by Product Type, CAGR Historic and Forecast, 2020-2030
Chart New Zealand Ice Cream Market by Product Type, 2020-2030
Table New Zealand Ice Cream Market by Category, 2020-2030
Chart New Zealand Ice Cream Market by Category, CAGR Historic and Forecast, 2020-2030
Chart New Zealand Ice Cream Market by Category, 2020-2030
Table New Zealand Ice Cream Market by Distribution Channel, 2020-2030
Chart New Zealand Ice Cream Market by Distribution Channel, CAGR Historic and Forecast, 2020-2030
Chart New Zealand Ice Cream Market by Distribution Channel, 2020-2030
Table New Zealand Ice Cream Market Share (%), by Companies, 2020-2024
Chart New Zealand Ice Cream Market, by Companies, 2024
Table New Zealand Ice Cream Market Share (%), by Brands, 2020-2024
Chart New Zealand Ice Cream Market, by Brands, 2024
Table New Zealand – Population (Millions) and Forecast
Table New Zealand – Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Forecast
Table New Zealand – Gross Domestic Product and Forecast
Table New Zealand Ice Cream Market: Spend as a Proportion of GDP (%)
Table New Zealand Ice Cream Market: Consumption per Capita (Population)