World's Largest Producer of Frozen Dairy Desserts

Approximately 40% of the world's frozen dairy desserts — 5.6 billion liters per year — are manufactured at more than 450 U.S. ice cream plants. This makes the United States the largest producer of ice cream and related products in the world.

With the world's largest milk supply, an abundance of land, and investments in research & development, U.S. frozen dairy dessert production has remained steady and strong for many years-and is prepared to do so for many more.

Variety of Styles, Flavors and Container Styles

U.S. manufacturers produce and export ice creams in a wide variety styles, including "super premium" products, with a high butterfat content; nonfat, low-fat or light products; and sugar-free premium novelties and desserts. In addition, dozens of types of frozen novelties are exported throughout the world.

In ice cream production, air is whipped into the product resulting in an increase in volume, or overrun. The percentage of overrun is carefully controlled to yield quality products with optimum body and texture. U.S. federal standards limit the amount of air by specifying that a liter of ice cream must weigh at least 0.54 kilograms. Regular to premium ice creams generally have 80 to 100% overrun, while super premium ice cream generally has 20 to 50%.

Flavors range from traditional favorites such as vanilla, chocolate and strawberry to more unique options such as toasted almond or green tea.

Typical container sizes of ice cream and frozen yogurt include 170-millileter cups, pints, gallons, half liters, liters and other large containers for retail and foodservice sales.

Innovation and Technology

The U.S. frozen dairy dessert industry makes ongoing investments in both product development and manufacturing. U.S. processors have embraced ingredient technology-especially in the area of fat replacement-and produce the highest quality low-fat, nonfat and sugar-free frozen dairy desserts in the world. The U.S. is also a world leader in ice cream novelty innovation.

Investments in advanced manufacturing and packaging equipment enable the U.S. to be the most efficient producer of ice cream and related products in the world. Technical advancements in processing equipment also make it possible to manufacture any shape, size and flavor of novelty to meet the most current consumer trends.

High Standards and Top-quality Raw Materials

The U.S. frozen dairy dessert industry adheres to strict production practices, resulting in some of the safest, highest quality ice creams and related product in the world. Products are tested and evaluated at every stage of production to ensure that they not only meet U.S. government standards, but also the expectations of the consumer. U.S. manufacturers employ strict warehouse, transportation and distribution guidelines, ensuring that only the highest quality product reaches consumers' freezers.

U.S. ice creams are made with a careful selection of quality ingredients. Manufacturers use only the highest quality milk, fresh cream, nonfat milk solids, and whey protein concentrates in the production of ice cream and related products. The fat and sugar replacers that are used in the production of nonfat, no-sugar-added and other healthy frozen desserts are all approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Creative Packaging and Merchandising

U.S. frozen dairy dessert manufacturers not only show off their creativity in the flavors of ice cream they produce, but also in the packaging. This includes inner protective seals on bulk packages, as well as tamper-evident seals—two features that are important in export markets.

Bulk packages come round or square, made from paperboard or plastic, re-sealable or not. Cones, sticks and sandwiches come in many sizes and shapes, in single or multi-pack containers and boxed or sleeved. In addition, upgraded paper, plastic and film carry bolder colors and more detailed graphics, stir up interest among consumers, and consequently increase frozen dairy dessert sales. Many manufacturers will custom-design packages for export markets.

Export Focus

As a result of the value offered by the U.S. dairy industry, exports of U.S. ice cream and related products have expanded. Export of U.S. ice cream has seen steady growth over the last five years, increasing by nearly 140% up to 61,000 metric tons in 2013.

The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and the U.S. frozen dairy dessert industry are equipped for today's fast-paced business, focused on the future and willing to serve overseas customers as their partners in trade.