Market Overview

The GCC Ice Cream Market size was USD 1.8 Million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 3.3 Million by 2033. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period of 2025-2033. This growth is fueled by rising disposable incomes, shifting preferences toward indulgent and healthier products, innovation in flavors and formats, expansion of retail channels, and climate-driven demand.

How AI is Reshaping the Future of GCC Ice Cream Market

• AI-driven consumer insights enable manufacturers to innovate unique flavors tailored to local tastes, enhancing product acceptance.
• Advanced AI systems optimize supply chain management, reducing wastage in perishable products like ice cream, improving profitability.
• AI-powered e-commerce platforms provide personalized shopping experiences, boosting online sales of ice cream across GCC.
• Predictive analytics powered by AI assist companies in forecasting demand fluctuations related to temperature changes, aiding inventory planning.
• AI facilitates quality control by automating ingredient consistency checks, ensuring premium product standards in artisanal ice cream.
• Collaborative AI-driven marketing campaigns leverage social media influencers and local data to effectively promote healthier and premium ice cream options.

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Market Growth Factors

Disposable income is the key market growth factor for the GCC ice cream market, as consumers are increasingly willing to spend on indulgent products like ice cream. This trend has led to growth in both regular and premium or artisanal ice cream products across the region. The hot climate of the region, the perpetual high demand for chilled products, the growing number of supermarkets, hypermarkets, convenience store chains, and other e-commerce channels drive the market growth. Manufacturers focus on launching new flavors in healthy products to align with changing consumer preferences, and this fuels the market growth.

Health consciousness greatly affected ice cream manufacturers and suppliers in the GCC. The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention says people increasingly demand ice creams that have low-fat and that are sugar-free because they become aware of obesity and diabetes in the population. Large companies like Almarai and Nestl also produce their own dairy-free and gluten-free products in addition. The healthy ice cream alternatives segment is growing at a CAGR of 15% in the MENA region, with Saudi Arabia being a large market for this segment. Retailers have responded by allocating shelf space to the health benefits, catering to consumers who are health-aware.

Also included in the premiumization and the artisanal trend. In its report on the GCC Food and Beverage Sector, the Gulf Cooperation Council states that premium ice cream has grown by 8% each year in recent years. People may willingly pay for premium ingredients and flavors to drive this growth, specialty ice cream shops prevail, major brands like Baskin-Robbins and Froneri introduce premium varieties, social media supports perceiving premium ice cream, and regional artisanal varieties cater to local tastes. Consumers have become more affluent because there has been a trend toward consuming luxury gourmet foods.

Market Segmentation

Breakup by Flavor:

• Chocolate
• Fruit
• Vanilla
• Others

Breakup by Category:

• Impulse Ice Cream
• Take-Home Ice Cream
• Artisanal Ice Cream

Breakup by Product:

• Cup
• Stick
• Cone
• Brick
• Tub
• Others

Breakup by Distribution Channel:

• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets
• Convenience Stores
• Ice Cream Parlours
• Online Stores
• Others

Breakup by Country:

• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Qatar
• Bahrain
• Kuwait
• Oman

Competitive Landscape

The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players.

Recent Developement & News

• June 2025: The UAE government partnered with educational institutions to promote nutrition awareness linked to dairy and frozen dessert consumption, supporting healthier ice cream product development and increasing consumer awareness on low-fat and sugar-free options.
• August 2025: House of Pop, a Dubai-based ice cream brand, announced expansion in the GCC through franchising and distribution partnerships, targeting Saudi Arabia and Bahrain for increased market penetration of healthier frozen desserts.
• September 2025: E-commerce channels registered a doubling in ice cream sales, backed by investments from major companies including Unilever and Mars, Inc., indicating a significant shift toward online platforms for ice cream purchases.

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