Italy heads interest in dairy-free ice cream
This in-depth analysis is provided by Mintel
Illustrating an interest in modern frozen dessert concepts, Italian consumers are more likely than other Europeans to be interested in seeing a wider variety of lactose/dairy free ice creams. Nearly 17% of Italian ice cream users are keen to see more of these recipes, a notably bigger response than that of users from France (12%) and Germany (13%).That agreement with the statement rises to 24% of 35-44s is significant considering Italians in this age group are above average users of the main types of ice creams, such as tubs, individual pots, sticks and bars, and so an important group for brands to engage with.
The finding reflects low availability of lactose/dairy free ice cream in Italy, although it is not alone in its lack of such diet specific recipes. The ice cream market has been relatively slow to cater to lactose/dairy intolerant consumers. New ice cream launches with a low/no/reduced lactose claim accounted for just 2% of all European ice cream launches in 2014, although this is still double the number launched in 2012. Italian consumers’ high interest in lactose/dairy-free ice cream corresponds with the country having a relatively high level of intolerance and malabsorption of these ingredients, compared with other European countries. According to studies in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Italy has between a 20% and 70% rate of lactose intolerance, depending on the region. This compares with a 5% to 20% range for populations in the UK, Germany, France and Finland.
Scandinavia, particularly Finland, is something of a global hotspot for such dairy/lactose-free ice cream innovation. The major ice cream companies in Scandinavia, such as Nestlé’s Valio and Aino brands, and Unilever’s Ingman brand, which it acquired in 2011, all have dietary-specific offerings. And to tailor free-from ice cream for Italian palates, almond milk-based recipes are particularly well-placed to resonate. Naturally lactose-free, almond milk itself is a traditional summer drink in Sicily where it is historically made with crushed almonds, water and sweetened with honey or sugar. Such innovation stands to appeal to the 18% of UK free-from users who would like to see a wider range of treats/indulgent products in free-from foods.
Germany’s organice ice-cream sector hits the fast track and the French are very fond of sorbets. Want to find out more about consumer behavior on the main European markets? Please click here