Gelato Day: Italian gelato between artisanal tradition and global

Gelato Day: Italian gelato between artisanal tradition and global industry

On Gelato Day we look at the figures and distinctions that separate artisanal gelato from industrial products—covering quality, market share and everyday consumption.

Recent figures: in 2025 Italian artisanal gelato exceeded €3.1 billion in turnover (+3.5%); per capita consumption remains around 2 kg per year with an average spend of about €48. The packaged sector is worth roughly €2 billion and industry accounts for about 57.9% of the global market.

• Artisanal: fresh ingredients, local production, more intense flavor, ties to territory and seasonality.
• Industrial: wide availability, lower costs, long shelf life; contains more air (sometimes over 70%), yielding a less concentrated taste.

Prices and consumption: in recent four-year trends prices rose by up to +30%; in large cities a cone can reach €4, contributing to a more "premium" positioning.

Artisans and industry coexist because they meet different needs: experience and authenticity on one side, accessibility and convenience on the other. In Alessandria too, gelato remains a symbol of social life and quality, from historic parlors to new offerings.