Industry Overview - Ice cream is a frozen food made primarily from drinking water, milk, cream, sugar, and food additives, produced through various processes [1][6] - The domestic ice cream industry in China is experiencing rapid growth, with market size projected to increase from 83.9 billion yuan in 2015 to 183.5 billion yuan in 2024, and expected to exceed 200 billion yuan by 2027 [1][6][8] Market Dynamics - The average per capita ice cream consumption in China is 2.9 kg, which is higher than the Asia-Pacific average of 2.1 kg but still below the global average of 4.5 kg, indicating significant growth potential for the market [8] - Consumer acceptance of ice cream prices generally falls between 3 to 10 yuan, with 70.9% of consumers preferring this price range, while higher-priced ice creams face lower acceptance [10] Consumer Preferences - In 2025, 64.29% of consumers expressed interest in fruit and herb flavors, while 47.61% preferred nut and spice flavors, indicating a trend towards innovative flavor combinations [12] - Health-conscious trends are driving demand for low-sugar, low-fat, and additive-free ice cream products, with functional ice creams like probiotic and collagen varieties gaining popularity [20] Competitive Landscape - Leading companies in the Chinese ice cream market include Yili, Unilever (Wall's), Mengniu, and Nestlé, with market shares of 19%, 15%, 9%, and 8% respectively [14] - New brands and traditional companies are entering the market, intensifying competition [14] Development Trends - The ice cream industry is witnessing a diversification of flavors and forms, with companies innovating to meet changing consumer preferences [21] - The expansion of online sales channels, driven by e-commerce and cold chain logistics, is providing broader market access for ice cream products [23]