Ice cream prices are rising: Why the Germans are ordering fewer scoops!

Ice cream prices are rising: Why the Germans are ordering fewer scoops!

Summertime is just around the corner and with it the hottest question of the year: How much does ice cream cost today? A new survey by YouGov shows that almost two thirds of people in Germany find the prices for ice cream to be too high. Even when the temperatures rise and the desire for a cooling refreshment grows, many people forego the sweet treat or order fewer scoops. According to the study, six out of ten respondents said they “always” or “occasionally” order fewer balls than they did five years ago. Only 28 percent of participants are not influenced by the price, as WDR reports.

The prices for a scoop of ice cream vary considerably: in rural areas they cost around 1.30 euros, while in large cities such as Hamburg and Munich they can be up to 2.80 euros. According to Süddeutscher Zeitung, the average price is currently 1.81 euros, which represents an increase compared to previous years - in 2024 the price was 1.72 euros, and in 2023 it was 1.62 euros. These traditional price increases are primarily due to increased wages, rents and energy costs.

Regional differences and impacts

Ice cream prices are most expensive, particularly in regions such as Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, while Saxony-Anhalt is considered the cheapest region. Prices in large cities are also burdened by higher living and operating costs. In Munich, for example, the price for a scoop of ice cream is 2.12 euros, which is higher than prices in many other European cities. For comparison: In Vienna a scoop of ice cream costs around 2.30 euros and in Paris even 3.50 euros, as Kräe Eistechnik states.

In Germany there were around 5,000 ice cream parlors in 2023. However, the Dehoga hotel and restaurant association sees this number as declining; The number of ice cream parlors has fallen significantly since 2008. Between 2008 and 2022, a total of around 1,200 ice cream parlors disappeared. Despite these declines, many ice cream parlor operators maintain that the quality of their artisanal ice cream justifies the experience for customers, even as rising commodity prices make it difficult to operate profitably.

Changing consumption habits

The popularity of ice cream parlors remains unbroken, but purchasing behavior has changed. Many people have started buying ice cream less often or even making it themselves, supported by comments on social media. “Ice cream remains a popular summer treat,” said Uniteis spokeswoman Annalisa Carnio, “but the price increases cannot be ignored.” The most common orders in ice cream parlors are still two scoops (50 percent) or three scoops (23 percent), while 82.5 percent of the ice cream consumed in Germany is manufactured industrially. Artisan ice cream and soft serve only make up a small part of the market.

Although ice cream consumption in Germany is declining slightly - in 2023 consumption was only 7.9 liters per capita - consumers are sticking to their favorites: vanilla, chocolate and strawberry are still the undisputed leaders among the varieties. If the temperatures continue to rise, we will be curious to see how ice cream parlor prices develop and whether enjoying ice cream in everyday life will continue to be popular.