Competitive Landscape
Yili and Wall's Sustain Leadership through Innovation and Channel Expansion
Ice cream in China is highly concentrated, with the top three companies — Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co Ltd, Wall's (China) Co Ltd, and Inner Mongolia Mengniu Dairy Industry (Group) Co Ltd — collectively expected to account for a 52% share in 2026; specifically, 30% for Yili, 12% for Wall's, and 11% for Mengniu. The level of concentration increased strongly over the past five years, with Yili’s share rising from 20% in 2021, and the other two players also seeing increases, albeit at a slower pace, with Wall's rising from 10% and Mengniu from 9%.
Magnum and Cornetto Drive Demand with Layered Innovation and Experiential Marketing
Notable product launches in 2026 include Magnum’s introduction of its first ice cream cone in China, which marks an extension from its well-known chocolate stick format to a cone product featuring nutty chocolate toppings, a crispy wafer, and a chocolate lava filling. This innovation targets consumers seeking premium indulgence and a multi-textural experience, and is supported by experiential marketing such as pop-up events in high-profile urban locations.
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Overview:
Understand the latest market trends and future growth opportunities for the Ice Cream industry in China with research from Euromonitor International's team of in-country analysts – experts by industry and geographic specialisation.
Key trends are clearly and succinctly summarised alongside the most current research data available. Understand and assess competitive threats and plan corporate strategy with our qualitative analysis, insight and confident growth projections.
Data and analysis in this report provides further detailed coverage dedicated to a comprehensive range of core packaged food categories.
If you're in the Ice Cream industry in China, our research will help you to make informed, intelligent decisions; to recognise and profit from opportunity, or to offer resilience amidst market uncertainty.
The Ice Cream in China report includes:
- Analysis of key supply-side and demand trends
- Detailed segmentation of international and local products
- Historic volume and value sizes, company and brand market shares
- Five year forecasts of market trends and market growth
- Robust and transparent research methodology, conducted in-country
This report answers:
- What is the market size of Ice Cream in China?
- Which are the leading brands in Ice Cream in China?
- How are products distributed in Ice Cream in China?
- How is the rise of e-commerce and/or the expansion of modern grocery retail impacting traditional retail?
- What are the key health and wellness concerns driving, or challenging, sales in Ice Cream?
- How significant are vegan and vegetarian dietary requirements in determining sales growth in China?
- How has COVID-19 impacted consumer demand? To what extent have lockdown, home seclusion and stockpiling boosted sales? Will the longer term economic repercussions of the pandemic stimulate or suppress future growth?
- Where is future growth expected to be most dynamic?
- How significant will values-based claims, such as sustainability and ethical labelling, be in supporting future growth and brand equity?
Ice Cream in China - Category analysis
Key Data Insights
Ice Cream Summary
Volume and Value Growth Evident, Although Consumer Sentiment Remains Cautious
Impulse Ice Cream Maintains Leadership While the Take-Home Format Accelerates
Yoplait’S Greek Yoghurt Launch Brings Health Focus to Dairy Innovation
Modest Growth Expected as Benefit of Innovation Outweighs Health and Demographic Pressures
Shifting Consumption Expected to Drive Strongest Growth for Take-Home Ice Cream
Multipack Portion Downsizing to Address Wellness Concerns and Affordability
Yili and Wall's Sustain Leadership through Innovation and Channel Expansion
Magnum and Cornetto Drive Demand with Layered Innovation and Experiential Marketing
Small Local Grocers Defends Leadership While Convenience Stores Also Remains Popular
Snacks Specialist Shops Attract Ice Cream Brands with Broad Product Assortments
O2o Integration Accelerates Online Ice Cream Sales and Impulse Purchasing
Multi-Sensory Formats and Experiential Indulgence
Strategic Differentiation and Market Positioning
Adapting Portfolios for Evolving Lifestyle Demands
Snacks in China - Industry Overview
2026 Developments
Key Data Insights
Demand for Affordability Impacts Pack Sizes and Retail Channels
Savoury Snacks Gains Ground as Spicy Innovation Redefines Indulgence
Emerging Brands and Multinationals Adjust Strategies to Secure Value Share
Ice Cream Brands Will Leverage Indulgent Experiences for Growth
Portion Control and Permissible Indulgence Expected to Shape Snacks Innovation
Social Commerce Platforms to Accelerate Growth and Reshape Purchasing Behaviour
Highly Fragmented Competitive Landscape for Snacks, Led by Mondelez
Mars Expands Its Reach to Savoury Snacks with Kellanova and Flavour Innovation
Snacks Discount Stores Gain Share as Supermarkets Loses Relevance
Retail E-Commerce Captures High-Frequency Impulse Demand with Rapid Delivery
Flavour and Distribution Are Two Areas of Innovation
Yanjinpuzi and Golden Monkey Innovate in Savoury Snacks and Chocolate Confectionery, Respectively
Recent Developments Reshape the Competitive Dynamics
Country Reports Disclaimer
The following categories and subcategories are included:
Ice Cream
- Frozen Yoghurt
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- Single Portion Dairy Ice Cream
- Single Portion Water Ice Cream
- Plant-based Ice Cream
- Unpackaged Ice Cream
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- Bulk Dairy Ice Cream
- Ice Cream Desserts
- Multi-Pack Dairy Ice Cream
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- Bulk Water Ice Cream
- Multi-Pack Water Ice Cream
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Ice Cream
Ice cream is the aggregation of frozen yoghurt, impulse ice cream, plant-based ice cream, unpackaged ice cream and take-home ice cream. Frozen desserts is included in Passport’s Staple Foods research. Please note that soft serve ice cream from ice cream dispensing machines sold at foodservice outlets (e.g. fast food or ice cream parlours) is entirely excluded.
See all of our definitionsWhy buy this report?
- Gain competitive intelligence about market leaders
- Track key industry trends, opportunities and threats
- Inform your marketing, brand, strategy and market development, sales and supply functions
This report originates from Passport, our Ice Cream research and analysis database.
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