Love vegan ice cream? New research from Mintel's Global New Product Database says that plant-based ice cream products make up seven per cent of all launches in the last 12 months, more than double the three per cent five years ago
With more and more people trying to shift to plant-focused diets, which are seen as healthier and better for the climate, the demand for vegan ice cream isn't confined to vegans.
A Mintel survey of 2,000 British internet users in April-May revealed that 12 per cent of UK adults say the Covid-19 outbreak has made a vegan diet more appealing, a figure that nearly doubled among under-25s (23 per cent).
In the last five years, big brands like Ben & Jerry's, Magnum, Häagen-Dazs and low-cal specialists Halo Top have expanded their offerings to plant-based versions of their frozen treats. Newer entrants like Cado (which relies on creamy avocado to mimic the texture of dairy), Oatly (which uses oat milk) and Eclipse Foods (which makes its ices from potato, corn and cassava) are also eager to take a bite out of this expanding market.
Among vegan ice creams, chocolate accounted for 26 per cent of new products over the last 12 months, with vanilla and coconut products at 11 per cent and nine per cent respectively.