Turkey's Ice Cream Export Growth and Global Market Position

According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), Turkey has achieved significant production capacity in ice cream manufacturing through 919 facilities and advanced processing industry, while total milk and dairy product exports reached $523 million last year. Of this, $72.8 million was attributed to ice cream exports, representing approximately 13.9% of the total. With ice cream imports remaining at $12.7 million, Turkey confirmed its status as a net exporter in this sector.

Turkey's ice cream exports were primarily directed to Iraq, USA, Northern Cyprus, Kosovo, and Kazakhstan last year, with $23.5 million in exports during the first four months of this year signaling sustained international demand. Burhan Sakkaoğlu, General Secretary of the Packaged Milk and Dairy Products Industrialists Association (ASÜD), emphasized that the global ice cream market is projected to reach $122 billion by 2025, while noting Turkey's protected geographical indication products like Maraş Ice Cream and Görele Ice Cream. He also highlighted that 8 out of 43 milk product facilities authorized for EU export produce ice cream.

Industry stakeholders aim to elevate ice cream beyond seasonal consumption, focusing on registered, monitored, and high-quality production to strengthen consumer confidence year-round.