Introduction to Sigep World and European Artisanal Ice Cream Day
Sigep World, the World Expo for Foodservice Excellence, is set to take place from January 16 to 20, 2026, at Rimini Fiera. This international event will serve as a platform for the countdown to the 14th edition of the European Artisanal Ice Cream Day, scheduled for March 24, 2026. The European Parliament established this anniversary in 2012 to promote artisanal ice cream and its supply chain, which has proven to be a solid and growing sector despite complex economic conditions.
“Melody” is the European flavor that will combine music and artisanal ice cream
The Growing Artisanal Ice Cream Market
In 2025, traditional Italian artisanal ice cream in Europe reached a value of 11.7 billion euros, with a growth of 7% compared to the previous year. Volume sales increased by 3%, while average prices rose by 4%. The number of sales points exceeded 66,000, involving approximately 300,000 employees. Spain and the United Kingdom confirmed their positions as dynamic markets, while Italy solidified its role as the leader in terms of value and quality of the supply chain.
Hallelujah, the Taste of the Year 2025
Italian Artisanal Ice Cream Market
In Italy, the 2025 turnover exceeded 3.1 billion euros, with an increase of 3.5% compared to 2024. Per capita consumption remained stable at around 2 kg, with an average expenditure of 48 euros per person. The sector benefits from international tourism, with up to 50-70% of ice cream shop turnover generated by foreign visitors in art cities. The Italian supply chain reached an estimated value of 4.9 billion euros, with over 120,000 employees.
Global Artisanal Ice Cream Market
Outside Europe, artisanal ice cream is also growing, with a turnover of 4.8 billion euros (+10%) in non-European countries in 2025. This growth is driven by over 45,000 stores across the Americas, Asia, and emerging markets. The global artisanal ice cream market has thus reached 16.5 billion euros (+8.5%).
The European Taste of the Year 2026 Competition
During Sigep World, the Gelato Day 2026 will feature a competition for the Taste of the Year, titled “Melody”. From January 17 to 19, 2026, at the stand Artglace (Pad. A6 – stand n. 47), European ice cream masters will showcase their creativity and technique to develop proposals inspired by the theme “The Ice Cream that makes Europe sing”, a tribute to the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 scheduled in Vienna from May 12 to 16.
The Taste of the Year will be inspired by Eurovision
Ice Cream and Music: A Cultural Bridge
The 2026 edition of European Artisan Ice Cream Day combines gastronomy and music, creating a symbolic bridge between cultures and shared values. «Melody will not just be a taste, but a message of sharing and dialogue between cultures”, explain the organizers. Alongside the events of March 24, the project will continue in May in Vienna, strengthening the role of artisanal ice cream as an ambassador of made in Europe in the world.
Information and Memberships
All updates on the 14th edition of Gelato Day are available on the official website and on the official Gelato Day pages on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. All ice cream shops in Italy and Europe can register and report the initiatives for March 24, 2026. For more information, visit Here