Frozen desserts market expected to fatten to $27.6 billion by 2012

NEW YORK According to a new report released today from market research publisher Packaged Facts, the market for ice cream and frozen deserts is expected to grow by more than $4 billion by 2012 despite fickle consumer tastes and unchanging consumer demand. The report, “The U.S. Market for Ice Cream and Related Frozen Desserts,” projects the market will reach $27.6 billion by 2012.

Dollar sales continue to grow annually, not because of increased American consumption, but due to the population’s willingness to pay more for frozen desserts at the foodservice level as opposed to the retail level. As a result, retail sales are slowing where as foodservice sales are increasing.

Ice cream saw a 0.3 percent decline from 2007 sales, accounting to 59.2 percent of all U.S. frozen dessert sales in 2007. It is likely the sales went to frozen yogurt as consumers gravitate toward healthier frozen dessert indulgence options. Frozen yogurt sales, on the other hand have been experiencing growth with 2007 sales increasing 12 percent as compare to 2006 sales.