Rimini, January 15th, 2025 – The 46th edition of SIGEP WORLD – The World Expo for Foodservice Excellence, scheduled from January 18 to 22 at the Rimini Exhibition Center, will mark the start of the countdown to the 13th European Artisanal Gelato Day. This event, celebrated throughout Europe and beyond each March 24, was established by the European Parliament in 2012 to highlight artisanal craftsmanship as a symbol of quality, authenticity, and regional identity. Gelato Day unites Europe through events, activities, and, of course, cones and cups, celebrating a globally cherished product and underscoring the economic importance of a sector that continues to thrive.
GELATO IN EUROPE
Artisanal gelato remains a dominant force in Europe, a continent that leads both in the number of gelato shops and consumer demand. Europe boasts around 65,000 outlets employing approximately 300,000 workers. The largest markets are Italy (with 39,000 outlets, including over 9,300 gelato shops, 12,000 pastry shops, and 18,000 bars offering artisanal gelato) and Germany (9,000 outlets, including 3,300 gelato shops), followed by Spain (2,200), Poland (2,000), Belgium (1,200), the United Kingdom (1,100), Austria (900), Greece (700), and France (600).
In 2024, despite unfavourable weather conditions, the European artisanal gelato market experienced a 1% increase, reaching 11 billion euros in sales. This positive trend is mirrored by a 1% growth in gelato volumes sold, driven by new gelato shop openings in emerging markets. In Italy and Germany, shop numbers and sales remained stable. Revenue growth was supported by price stabilization, with only a 1% increase after a 10% surge in 2023 due to high raw material, logistics, and labor costs.
THE ARTISANAL GELATO MARKET IN ITALY
In 2024, Italy's artisanal gelato sector grew between 0.5% and 1%, reaching nearly 3 billion euros (2.9 billion in 2023). The number of gelato shops remained stable at over 9,300, supplemented by 12,000 pastry shops and approximately 18,000 bars offering artisanal gelato. The sector recovered during the summer despite earlier weather challenges, bolstered by increased foreign tourism (+1.2% arrivals, +3% stays from August to October) and favourable weather. Southern Italy led sales growth, with Lazio (+13%, driven by Rome), Sicily (+5%), and Campania (+3%) performing well. Per capita consumption stands at 2 kg, with residents spending an average of 46 euros annually and tourists spending an additional 2.7 euros. Prices have stabilized, with small cones or cups priced at 2.7 euros, reaching up to 5 euros in tourist cities.
GELATO DAY AT SIGEP
Gelato Day will be a major highlight at SIGEP, a key event for industry professionals. This year, Artglace has launched a contest to select the official recipe for the 2025 Flavour of the Year, “Hallelujah.” The competition, set for January 21, 2025, at Artglace’s booth (Pavilion A6, Stand No. 48), offers 30 participating gelato makers from across Europe a chance to showcase their creativity with innovative flavours and combinations.
The “Hallelujah” flavour, dedicated to the Jubilee and sponsored by the Dicastery for Evangelization and the Italian Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forestry (MASAF), underscores the event's cultural and spiritual significance. Celebrations will begin on Sunday, March 23, with pilgrims in St. Peter's Square offered samples of the flavor and charity fundraising near Piazza Pio XII. On March 24, “Hallelujah” will be featured in gelato shops across Europe, presented in its official recipe and in variations inspired by local ingredients from artisans.
The winners of the 4th video contest, featuring the 2024 Flavour of the Year “Gaufre de Liège,” will also be announced during SIGEP. Artisanal gelato makers showcased their production process and creativity through videos judged on originality, quality, flavour illustration, and presentation.
“This year, we are thrilled to celebrate the creativity and quality that make artisanal gelato unique and to dedicate the 13th Gelato Day to the Jubilee of 2025,” said Domenico Belmonte, Artglace President. “The 2024 market data confirms the central role of artisanal gelato in Europe, an industry of excellence driving the entire food sector with a turnover of 11 billion euros. This success is due to the passion and expertise of our gelato masters, who continuously innovate and elevate this beloved product.”
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For updates on the 13th Gelato Day, visit www.gelato-day.com or follow Gelato Day on Facebook (@24MarzoEuropeanGelatoDay), Instagram (@Gelato_Day), and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/c/GelatoDay). Gelato shops across Italy and Europe are invited to participate in the 2025 edition by registering on the website and sharing their planned events for March 24, 2025.