Plant Based Ice Cream Market –By Product Type , By Source , By Flavour , By Sweetener Type , By Distribution Channel and By Geography - Opportunity Analysis & Industry Forecast, 2025-2031

Plant based ice cream market Overview:

The Plant based ice cream market size is estimated to reach $3.9 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 10.7% during the forecast period 2025-2031. The Plant-Based Ice Cream Market is gaining immense popularity due to the rising demand for vegan and lactose-free products. This growth is driven by increasing health consciousness, environmental sustainability concerns and innovations in flavor and packaging. Additionally, dairy allergies are also driving the demand for plant-based ice cream. 

The Plant-Based Ice Cream Market is witnessing several key trends such as the growing popularity of unique and exotic flavors like matcha, turmeric and superfoods which cater to health-conscious consumers. Another trend is the use of alternative bases other than plant-based milks such as potato and rice. Exploring alternative bases like potatoes and rice exemplifies the industry's move towards more environmentally friendly food production and reduced reliance on expensive plant-based milk. In May 2023, Swedish plant-based foods company Veg of Lund announced a new patent approval for an ice cream made from potatoes, rapeseed oil and a vegetable protein emulsion.  

Market Snapshot:

Plant based ice cream market - Report Coverage:

The “Plant based ice cream market Report - Forecast (2025-2031)” by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments in the Plant based ice cream market.

Key Takeaways:

North America is the Largest

The largest market for plant-based ice cream is currently in North America, particularly in the United States. This is due to the growing demand for dairy-free, vegan and health-conscious dessert options driven by increasing awareness of lactose intolerance and environmental sustainability. A recent report in 2023 revealed that 2.3 million Canadians identified as vegetarian, while 850,000 identified as vegan, as per Made in CA. In response to the growing demand for vegan and plant-based frozen desserts, several brands and restaurants in the region are offering plant-based ice creams. For instance, in May 2023, Häagen-Dazs launched three new dairy-free ice cream flavors in Canada. The ice cream brand used oat milk to create the new flavors such as Chocolate Peanut Butter, Caramel Fudge Chip and Vanilla Raspberry Truffle.

Tubs/Pints are the Largest Segment 

The Tubs/Pints segment dominates the market as consumers tend to purchase traditional tub or pint formats, which are readily available in supermarkets and specialty stores. Brands in the plant-based ice cream market are increasingly adopting eco-friendly packaging for tubs/pints to meet the growing sustainability demand. Companies are using compostable paper-based tubs made from FSC-certified paper with plant-based or water-based coatings making them compostable or easier to recycle along with fully recyclable cardboard tubs and plastic-free lids. In March 2023, Oatly launched two new ice cream flavors and upgraded its popular oat-based Salted Caramel ice cream in Germany. The products come in recyclable paper cups each containing 500 ml.

Fruit is the largest segment

Fruit is the largest segment in the Plant-Based Ice Cream Market driven by growing consumer preference for natura and refreshing flavors. Varieties like strawberry, blueberry, orange, raspberry, mango, lemon, and other tropical and berry fruits appeal to health-conscious consumers seeking clean-label, dairy-free alternatives. In June 2023, Jude’s, a British craft dessert company, launched its Ultimate Plant-Based Ice Cream Tasting Box, available on its website. The box includes 18 mini tubs featuring six flavors that also include strawberry and mango sorbet. A limited-edition Plant-Based Recipe Collection containing vegan ice cream recipes was also included. Also, Ben & Jerry’s launched a new vegan flavor, Strawberry Cheezecake, in the US, made with oat milk, in January 2024. 

Demand for Vegan Ice cream to Drive the Market

The demand for vegan ice cream has been steadily increasing driven by factors such as growing awareness of dairy alternatives, ethical concerns related to animal products, and the need for vegan alternatives to ice cream. According to the Good Food Institute, plant-based ice cream and frozen novelties were purchased by 1 in 10 U.S. households in 2023. This category holds the fourth highest rate of household penetration (10%) among tracked plant-based categories, behind milk, meat and seafood and creamer. Due to the growing demand for vegan ice cream, several fastfood chains, cafes and restaurants are featuring them on their menu. For instance, in June 2024, McDonald’s announced that it was trialing the Vegan Scoop in the UK which will be vailable in two flavors, Choco and Strawberry.

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Key Market Players: 

Product/Service launches, approvals, patents and events, acquisitions, partnerships, and collaborations are key strategies adopted by players in the Plant based ice cream market. The top 10 companies in this industry are listed below:

1. Unilever plc
2. Nestlé S.A.
3. Danone S.A.
4. Oatly
5. General Mills, Inc.
6. Wells Enterprises, Inc.
7. The BoojaBooja Company Limited
8. Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
9. JUDE’S
10. Forager Project

Scope of the Report: 

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