Rimini, January 16, 2025 – The artisan gelato industry continues its rise across Europe, reaching an impressive €11 billion in turnover in 2024—despite unfavorable weather conditions. This confirms the central role of artisan gelato in the European food scene and paves the way for a meaningful celebration of the 13th European Artisan Gelato Day, dedicated this year to the 2025 Jubilee.
The only food-related day officially recognized by the European Parliament, the European Artisan Gelato Day (Gelato Day) will be celebrated on March 24, 2025, throughout Europe and beyond. The official launch will take place at SIGEP World 2025 (Rimini, January 18–22), during which the Flavor of the Year 2025 will be unveiled, alongside the awards ceremony for the 2024 video contest.
Artisan Gelato in Europe: Key Figures and Trends
Europe remains the global leader in artisan gelato, with approximately 65,000 gelato parlors and 300,000 employees. Italy leads the market with 39,000 businesses (including over 9,300 gelato shops, 12,000 pastry shops, and 18,000 bars serving artisan gelato), followed by Germany (9,000), Spain (2,200), Poland (2,000), and other countries including Belgium, the UK, Austria, Greece, and France.
In 2024, the European artisan gelato market grew by 1% in both sales and volume, driven by the opening of new shops in emerging markets. Meanwhile, sales and shop numbers remained stable in Italy and Germany. Price stabilization—just a 1% increase after the +10% surge in 2023—also contributed to the industry’s healthy performance.
Italy’s Artisan Gelato Market Nears €3 Billion
In Italy, artisan gelato sales reached nearly €3 billion in 2024 (up from €2.9 billion in 2023), with an estimated growth between 0.5% and 1%. The number of dedicated gelato parlors remained stable at over 9,300, complemented by 12,000 pastry shops and about 18,000 bars that offer artisan gelato.
Despite a slow start due to adverse weather early in the year, foreign tourism boosted summer sales (+1.2% arrivals and +3% overnight stays between August and October). Southern regions saw the highest growth, particularly Lazio (+13% thanks to Rome), Sicily (+5%), and Campania (+3%).
Per capita gelato consumption stands at 2 kg annually, with an average spend of €46 per resident, plus an additional €2.70 per tourist. Prices are now stable: the average price for a small cone or cup is €2.70, rising to €5 in top tourist destinations.
Gelato Day 2025: “Hallelujah” – The Flavor of the Year Inspired by the Jubilee
The star of the next Gelato Day will be the Flavor of the Year 2025: "Hallelujah", inspired by the Jubilee. The official recipe will be selected from 30 entries by artisan gelato makers participating in the Artglace competition, scheduled for Tuesday, January 21 at SIGEP (Hall A6, Stand 48).
The flavor "Hallelujah" has received official recognition and support from the Dicastery for Evangelization and the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry (MASAF). On Sunday, March 23, the gelato will be offered to pilgrims in Piazza Pio XII, near St. Peter’s Basilica, as part of a charity fundraising event. On March 24, gelato shops across Europe will serve “Hallelujah” in its official version or personalized reinterpretations inspired by local ingredients and traditions.
Artisan Gelato Video Contest 2024: Winners Announced at SIGEP
The SIGEP stage will also host the announcement of winners for the fourth edition of the European Gelato Video Contest, where artisan gelato makers created video entries focused on the 2024 Flavor of the Year, “Gaufre de Liège.”
A panel of five industry professionals evaluated the videos based on:
- Creativity and originality
- Production quality
- Presentation of the gelato-making process
- Aesthetics and decoration of the final product
“Once again, we’re proud to celebrate the creativity and excellence that make artisan gelato so unique,” said Domenico Belmonte, President of Artglace. “Dedicating the 2025 edition of Gelato Day to the Jubilee brings a deeper cultural and spiritual meaning to our mission. With a European turnover of €11 billion, artisan gelato is a driving force in the food industry, made possible by the passion and skills of our gelato artisans.”
Join the Celebration: Gelato Day 2025
All gelato shops across Europe are invited to take part in Gelato Day 2025 by registering their participation and initiatives at www.gelato-day.com.
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Let’s celebrate the joy of artisan gel
[1] Fonti: UIF, ACOMAG, Confartigianato, Confesercenti, FIPE-Confcommercio, Demoskopika, ISTAT, TCI, ARPA .