Italiano
Source: IlSole24Ore
An Excellence Worth 4.9 Billion (and Conquering the World)
Artisanal gelato continues to be one of the most solid and creative excellences of Made in Italy. Today, the national supply chain is worth 4.9 billion euros and guarantees over 120,000 jobs, confirming Italy as the world leader not only in production but also in machinery exported worldwide.
The global scenario is equally sweet: the artisanal gelato market is growing by 8.5%, exceeding 16.5 billion euros. Growth is driven primarily by non-EU markets (+10%), while in Europe, the United Kingdom and Spain stand out among the most dynamic countries.
The Gelato Loved by Italians and Tourists
In Italy, turnover exceeds 3.1 billion euros, with a growth of 3.5% compared to 2024. Per capita consumption remains stable at about 2 kg per year, but the difference is made by gelaterias in the tourist areas of Central and Southern Italy, which are increasingly visited by foreign travelers. Today, businesses offering artisanal gelato have surpassed 39,000.
Innovation, Sustainability, and Bold Flavors
Gelato is becoming a laboratory for experimentation: there is room for original combinations such as goat milk and saffron, citrus and bergamot, or Sulla honey and panettone all year round. There is growing attention toward local and sustainable ingredients, plant-based alternatives, and new technologies that improve processing and preservation without sacrificing artisanal quality.
Italian Pride
In 2025, thanks to the Filiera Italia project, the first 100% Italian gelato base was born, transformed into 85 million cones sold throughout the country. At the Gelato Festival, master Salvatore Ravese won the Italian final with the flavor “Bacio dei due mari” (Kiss of the Two Seas), a symbol of creativity and territorial identity.