The European Union recorded a significant increase in ice cream production during 2025, with a total output of 3.44 billion liters. This figure represents a 1.9% rise compared to the 3.38 billion liters produced in 2024. Germany maintained its status as the largest ice cream producer within the EU.
Notably, the Netherlands has emerged as one of the top five exporters of ice cream within the bloc. This highlights the country's strong manufacturing capabilities and efficient distribution networks for perishable goods.
For freight forwarders and logistics operations managers, this trend signifies a consistent demand for temperature-controlled logistics services, particularly refrigerated road transport and potentially cold storage warehousing. The robust production and export volumes, especially from countries like the Netherlands, suggest ongoing opportunities in the cold chain sector for both intra-European and potentially international distribution of frozen food products. Forwarders should anticipate steady volumes for reefer trucks and ensure adequate capacity and specialized handling for such sensitive cargo.
