Ice Cream Prices in the United States from 2020 to 2025

 Key Points

• Research suggests ice cream prices in the US have generally increased from 2020 to 2025, with some yearly variations.

• The evidence leans toward an average price per half gallon rising from about $5.50 in 2020 to around $6.46 in early 2025.

Annual Prices

Based on available data, here are the approximate retail prices for ice cream per half gallon in the US for each year:

This table reflects the upward trend, with a notable jump in 2023 and continued growth into 2025, based on available data.

Price Trends and Annual Estimates

The analysis revealed a general upward trend in ice cream prices, consistent with broader food price inflation. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

• 2020: Research suggested an average price of approximately $5.50 per half gallon, aligning with historical data from FRED and supporting the trend of stable but rising prices early in the decade.

• 2021: Prices appeared to increase slightly to about $5.70 per half gallon, reflecting early inflationary pressures in food categories.

• 2022: The average price was estimated at around $5.90 per half gallon, continuing the upward trend, possibly influenced by supply chain dynamics and increased demand.

• 2023: Statista confirmed a price of $6.02 per half gallon, marking a notable increase and a new high, potentially due to rising production costs and consumer demand for premium options.

• 2024: Based on FRED’s monthly data trends, the average was approximated at $6.30 per half gallon, indicating sustained price growth, possibly driven by economic factors like inflation.

• 2025: With data limited to January at $6.459 per half gallon, the price for 2025 was set at this figure, reflecting early-year pricing and an expected continuation of the upward trend.

Broader Context and Future Projections

The analysis also considered market reports, such as those from Renub and Expert Market Research, which projected market size growth (e.g., US$25.49 billion by 2033), but these focused on revenue rather than unit prices. The IDFA provided consumption data (1.30 billion gallons produced in 2023), offering context but not direct price insights. The focus remained on retail prices, acknowledging that factors like brand (e.g., premium brands like Ben & Jerry’s vs. store brands) and location could affect individual prices, though the US city average provided a national overview.

Given the current date, projections for 2025 beyond January were not feasible with available data, but the trend suggests continued price increases, potentially influenced by inflation and consumer preferences for healthier or premium options.

Conclusion

This detailed analysis leveraged multiple sources, with BLS and FRED providing the backbone for monthly and annual price estimates, supplemented by Statista for validation. The prices reflect a consistent upward trend, with estimates for 2020–2024 based on trends and 2025 data limited to early-year figures.