India is a big and populous country. It’s no wonder, then, that the ice cream market is enormous. In 2022 the market size was more than 249,364,800 IR and it’s expected to enjoy a compound annual growth rate of 13.49% during 2023-2028.
A major factor responsible for its success is climate. There are long and hot summers in India, and people are adopting Western lifestyles more and more.
However, are there more reasons why ice cream is so appealing to Indians? Let’s take a look at some key points to understand this phenomenon better.
The Packaging
The majority of ice creams sold in India are not big-name brands. These are too expensive for an item which is still considered a luxury. Instead, many ice cream vendors in the country invest in the best commercial ice cream machine. It allows them to create their own packaged ice cream. These can be sold for a fraction of the price of the brand’s ice creams.
It’s the main reason the ice cream industry has grown massively in the last few years.
The best part about the right machine is that it does all the work for you. You can customize the ingredients to add your own flavor, freeze it with CO2, and then create stylish designs.
Commercial ice cream machines allow local vendors to compete with the big brands and are an excellent business opportunity.
The one thing the above figures don’t show you is that, thanks to these ice cream machines the ice cream industry has almost doubled in size in just three years.
For entrepreneurs and investors, such machines are a fantastic way to get started in the business and will undoubtedly keep becoming more and more popular.
Stickless Ice creams
Creating ice cream and filling tubes is fairly straightforward, as is freezing the ice cream around a wooden stick before enrobing it in chocolate.
However, what’s more novel and an excellent way to build a business, is to adopt the preferred Indian type of ice cream, stickless.
In effect, you’re making an ice cream sandwich. It can be eaten on the street or taken home as part of your shopping to enjoy as pudding.
This opens up your market and allows you, with a simple commercial ice cream machine, to build a lucrative business. After all, who doesn’t like ice cream? The only thing that will limit your creations is your imagination.
Don’t Just Look To India
India has a stunning array of ice cream types and flavors worth trying. However, you don’t have to limit yourself to what India is doing. Take a look at the market for ice cream in Thailand, United Arab Emirates and even Iran. The greater your range, the easier it will be to create a successful ice cream business.
Obviously, the country where it all started is Italy. Sometimes, we take this delicious dessert for granted, but its story is tied to innovation and human ingenuity. Bernardo Buontalenti, a party planner for the Medici family, invented the gelato as a means to welcome Spanish guests. The sorbet was also invented in Italy, and both are good examples of making a great idea come to fruition.
Summing Up
Building an ice cream business is a challenge. However, with the right equipment and mindset, it’s possible. A large part of this is thinking outside the box.
Start by looking at the different types of ice cream in India and then look at the rest of the world. You won’t just be a part of the ice cream revolution; you’ll be driving it.
