Italian packaged gelato sales grow 9% in early 2026

The Italian Gelato Institute (IGI) reported significant growth in the packaged gelato sector during the first eight months of 2026. Retail sales in Italy increased by 9% compared to the same period in 2025, a trend driven in part by high summer temperatures.

In the Lazio region and Rome, retail sales through supermarkets and hypermarkets rose by 8.8% as of August 30, 2026, with provincial sales up 7.1%. Consumption of gelato purchased for immediate consumption, such as at bars, grew by approximately 4% in volume.

On an international scale, Italian production saw a 10% volume increase in 2025, making Italy the second-largest producer in the European Union behind Germany. In 2025, 116,000 tons of gelato were exported, with 70% of sales directed to France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom, alongside significant shipments to the United States.

Beyond economic data, the IGI hosted an event in Rome to discuss the role of gelato in sports nutrition, presenting a ‘Manifesto of Athlete Nutrition’ curated by specialist Michelangelo Giampietro. Additionally, IGI member companies collaborated with Caritas to donate approximately 46,000 gelatos to vulnerable individuals in cities including Rome, Turin, and Florence.