July 9, 2025 – Innova Market Insights’ report Dairy & Non-Dairy Ice Cream in Asia Pacific offers a comprehensive look at the region’s ice cream category, covering both dairy and non-dairy options such as single-serve products, take-home sticks, cones, multipacks, tubs, frozen yogurts, and sorbets with dairy ingredients. As part of Innova’s 360 Category Reports, it delivers a complete view by integrating global trends, consumer drivers, and launch data across 11 Asia Pacific countries—Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. These reports reflect our broader 360 approach, connecting macro influences, shifting consumer preferences, and market dynamics to uncover innovation strategies and category developments—empowering brands and suppliers to make smarter, faster decisions.
Asia Pacific Dairy Ice Cream is Distinctive
The highest per capita ice cream figures in the world are in Australia and New Zealand. In contrast, per capita ice cream consumption is among the lowest in the world in China, India, and South-East Asia. Despite this, sales growth is flat in Australasia and retail value is growing quickly in Asia. Consumers in the Asia Pacific view ice cream as experiential, and they enjoy its taste and the way it boosts their mood. Ice cream fits into snacking in Asia, so single-serve, hand-held products are popular. Ice cream in Australasia is more of a dessert, so tub ice cream stands out. In the Asia Pacific, ice cream is not usually associated with health, with the exception of some products that are low in sugar or supply probiotics. Ice cream trends reveal that local flavors, for example, matcha, and limited-edition flavors are important. So, it is convenient, especially in the form of multipack and snack-size products.
Single-serve launches are common in Asia and very rare in Australasia. Single-serve products have a solid presence in Japan and Vietnam and a smaller presence in Australia.
Non-Dairy Ice Cream is Niche
Non-dairy ice cream is a niche category that has gained some interest and activity in certain Far East Asian markets, as well as in Australasia. But new product launches have declined over recent years, and quality issues have forced reformulation to improve flavor, which has not been very adventurous to date. Tub and take-home formats are the most common formats for Asia Pacific non-dairy ice cream. As with dairy ice cream, non-dairy innovation has not focused on health features.
Ice Cream and the Asia Pacific Consumer
In Asia Pacific, ice cream trends show that taste and mood are key drivers of ice cream purchases. A majority of participants in consumer trends research say that flavor is important. Consumers also say that eating ice cream helps boost their mood and provides other emotional benefits. About two in five consumers turn to ice cream for happiness or relaxation. Others use ice cream as an indulgence and treat.
Strong flavors are consistent with indulgence. Consumer trends research shows that this desire for indulgence and pleasure translates into a preference for strong, bold flavors and variety in ice cream. Sizable numbers of Asia Pacific consumers want ice cream products with multiple flavors. Low percentages of consumers in the region prefer mild and plain flavors.
Ice cream trends show that snacking on ice cream and shareable snacks are popular and important. Asia Pacific consumers are staying at home more often, so they are interested in convenient and shareable ice cream experiences to enjoy with family and friends. Afternoon ice cream snacks are most popular, followed by evening snacks. Asia Pacific consumers also eat ice cream during a break or while watching television. Still, about one-quarter of Asia Pacific research participants eat ice cream for dessert after lunch or dinner.
Manufacturers are responding by focusing innovation on ice cream products that can be shared. Innova is monitoring a growing number of launches of boxed ice cream products, including multipacks, single-serve ice cream desserts, ice cream bites, mochi, and mini-ice cream bars.
Indulgent Western Flavors Gain
Asia Pacific innovation in ice cream flavors is highly influenced by indulgent Western flavors. These include flavors such as cookie, cake, and pie in Asia and dulce de leche and s’mores in Australia. Seasonal and limited edition flavors and launches help drive innovation and add novelty and excitement. Offering variety is important since Asia Pacific consumers enjoy multi-flavor and blended flavor ice cream products.
Balance is needed between local and international taste profiles. Consumers prefer a mix of flavors. More than half of Asia Pacific consumers in research express a preference for multi-flavor ice creams or those with flavor blends. Matcha tea, an Asian flavor, is popular in Asia, as is the more Western cookies and cream. However, tea is declining while coffee flavor is on the rise. Local fruits and floral flavors also are becoming more widely used in ice cream launches, and these can lend a premium feel to ice cream. Consumers in Australasia enjoy confectionery flavors such as caramel, salted caramel, fudge, and mint.
What’s Next in Asia Pacific Ice Cream?
Watch for taste adventures as consumers look for premium and exciting ice cream experiences that are treats with local and global flavors. Keep an eye on environmentally sensitive ingredient sourcing and product packaging as Asia Pacific consumers look for ways to live more sustainably. Asia shows growth potential for increased awareness of how consumers can affect the environment. Expect to see more snackable and shareable ice cream products in multi-portion formats. Consumers are likely to see healthier, yet indulgent ice cream products with desirable features such as probiotics. Brands may ramp up their marketing to the young since ice cream appeals to youth. Innovative products will be targeted toward Generation Z and Generation Alpha, who will respond to viral marketing campaigns.
Be ready for opportunities in non-dairy ice cream. It continues to be a niche product, mainly in Australia and Japan, but growth is possible if innovation overcomes consumer concerns about taste.
This article is based on Innova’s Dairy & Non-Dairy Ice Cream in Asia Pacific report. This report is available to purchase or with an Innova Reports subscription. Reach out to find out more
