As the mercury rises earlier than expected, India’s ice cream industry is gearing up for what could be one of the hottest summers on record. With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) declaring February 2025 the warmest February since 1901 and warning of a hotter-than-usual March, brands are scrambling to meet surging demand, pushing production and distribution into overdrive.

This unexpected heatwave has sent a ripple effect across industries, but for ice cream makers, it’s a golden opportunity. Anticipating a prolonged summer, brands such as Amul, Mother Dairy, and Havmor are bringing forward their product launches, rolling out 13–15 new variants ahead of schedule to cater to soaring demand.

A race to the freezer

For companies in the business of keeping things cool, the scorching temperatures spell a business boom. “Summer is the most anticipated season for many of our key categories, including ice creams, beverages, and curd. The early arrival of summer this year has already resulted in a 30–40% increase in demand for these categories across channels compared to last year,” says Manish Bandlish, managing director of Mother Dairy.

To stay ahead of demand, the company has expanded production capacity and bolstered its cold chain infrastructure, ensuring that supply keeps pace with the soaring appetite for frozen treats. “To make this season even more exciting, we are delighted to introduce a diverse and innovative range of over 25 new products across beverages, impulse and take-home ice creams, as well as curd and raita, offering consumers a refreshing experience,” Bandlish adds.

Similarly, Havmor Ice Cream is seizing the moment with a slew of innovations. “We will be introducing LOTTE innovation from its global portfolio—LOTTE Krunch, a first in the category in the Indian market. With cricket season being one of the biggest consumer engagement platforms and summer expected to be prolonged, the opportunity is massive,” says Komal Anand, managing director of Havmor Ice Cream. The brand is also betting big on its new state-of-the-art plant in Pune, which is expected to play a crucial role in scaling up production to meet rising demand.

Karan Taurani, senior vice president of Elara Capital, highlights the resilience of ice cream sales despite erratic weather patterns. “It is one category that is highly seasonal in nature as far as consumption is concerned, especially with the rising temperatures we are seeing in a market like India. And the temperatures are only increasing every year,” he adds. He also points out that while monsoons might cause slight fluctuations in demand, they generally do not disrupt supply chains significantly.

Baskin-Robbins, which has seen consistent double-digit growth in India, is also capitalising on the heatwave-driven demand surge. “As India continues its upward march towards becoming one of the world’s leading economies, Baskin-Robbins is committed to being a part of this journey, contributing to the economy, creating jobs, and delivering happiness to consumers through continuing innovation in our products and services,” says Vikram Seth, managing director of Graviss Foods. Last September, the company set up a new manufacturing facility for Baskin-Robbins in India and opened its 1,000th location in India and the SAARC region “to cope with growing demand.”

Quick commerce heats up

As consumer habits evolve, so does the way ice cream reaches them. The rise of quick commerce has catapulted impulse buying, making frozen treats more accessible than ever. “Ice cream is one product that is impulse buying in nature. As it melts and the consumer wants to consume it within 10–15 minutes, quick commerce is going to be a very strong growth engine for ice cream sales this summer,” says Taurani.

Additionally, with platforms like Blinkit, Zepto, and Swiggy Instamart promising deliveries within minutes, ice cream makers are optimising their cold chain networks to ensure seamless last-mile delivery. This shift is expected to fuel higher volumes, particularly in urban centres where convenience is key.

Going forward

While the outlook remains largely positive, ice cream makers will need to navigate logistical challenges. A sharp increase in demand could strain production facilities and cold chain infrastructure. Additionally, erratic weather patterns, including the possibility of early monsoons, could disrupt sales patterns later in the year.

However, industry experts remain optimistic. “The ice cream category in India has tremendous headroom for growth, driven by rising disposable incomes and evolving consumer preferences. We expect this category momentum to continue, fuelled by innovation, premiumisation, and deeper market penetration, along with fast-growing channels like quick commerce,” shares Anand.

Beyond the ice cream brands themselves, the warm weather spells potential gains for companies operating in adjacent categories. According to Nuvama, the early onset of summer is positive for businesses in summer-centric segments like cola, talcum powder, cooling hair oils, and, of course, ice cream. Stocks of companies such as Emami, Varun Beverages, and Hindustan Unilever (HUL) stand to benefit as demand skyrockets.

As brands continue to innovate and scale operations to meet the growing appetite for frozen desserts, the battle for a bigger slice of the market is well underway.