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Research and Markets Year on Year Growth Forecast for the Ice Cream...

June 6, 2005 -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c18604) has announced the addition of Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts Market Report 2005 to their offering.



It is estimated that the UK market for ice cream and frozen desserts was worth 1.35bn in 2004. Between 2000 and 2003, the market showed steady growth year-on-year, but sales in 2004 were negatively affected by poor summer weather. Growth was driven by the ice cream sector, which is characterised by a high level of innovation and trading up, whereas sales of frozen desserts have been falling.



Following the poor summer of 2004, ice cream suppliers are now actively seeking ways to reduce the seasonal nature of sales and reposition ice creams as year-round products. To some extent, growth in the frozen desserts sector is also hampered by seasonality, with sales being heavily reliant on festive and other special occasions.



Take-home products account for the largest share of ice cream sales by value, with wrapped impulse and other' (including scoop/soft mix) products making up the rest of the sector, with roughly equal shares. Both of these smaller subsectors suffered particularly badly from the poor weather in 2004 and experienced sharp declines in sales value. Premium take-home products have been a major source of growth, with much of the credit owed to the increased commitment by retailers to their own labels. Heavily promoted premium items were partly responsible for the trend away from luxury products during 2004. Innovation by confectionery brands continues to stimulate consumers' demand for ice cream - in particular, handheld items. Confectionery brands are now an important part of the ice cream sector, with seven of the 20 leading ice cream brands in 2004 bearing the names of well-known confectionery brands. Low-fat products have been another area of product innovation.



The frozen desserts sector has been faced with strong competition from fresh and chilled alternatives and by high levels of discounting. Nevertheless, a number of underlying factors continue to sustain demand for desserts that offer convenience and are easy to prepare. Products that are served cold, such as gateaux, continue to account for the majority of product sales in this sector.



The ice cream sector is highly concentrated, with sales in the take-home and impulse sectors being dominated by the two leading players - Unilever Ice Cream & Frozen Food and Richmond Foods. The supply of frozen desserts is also in the hands of only a small number of players.



Year-on-year growth is forecast for the total ice cream and frozen desserts market between 2005 and 2009. Growth will continue to be driven by the ice cream sector, which will benefit from increased emphasis on premium products and the marketing muscle of some of the most powerful fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) players. The development of niche segments, such as low-fat ice cream, will also provide additional opportunities for market expansion. Sales of frozen desserts are expected to stabilise, as new entrants fill the gap left by Hibernia Foods and manufacturers encourage consumers to trade up by placing greater emphasis on higher-priced ranges.



For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c18604



Laura Wood

Senior Manager

Research and Markets

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