After two summers got washed out by unseasonal rains, India’s ice cream industry is finally having its moment in the sun — quite literally. Record-breaking temperatures across the country have triggered a sharp surge in consumption this season, pushing sales up by as much as 30-40% for many companies and leaving manufacturers scrambling to keep freezers stocked. From neighbourhood kirana stores to quick-commerce apps, ice creams are flying off shelves within hours, turning what was once a weather-dependent business into one of the biggest beneficiaries of India’s brutal summer of 2026.
In an interaction with businessline, Sudhir Shah, President of the Indian Ice Cream Manufacturers’ Association (IICMA), spoke about the industry’s sharp demand recovery, supply-chain pressures, stock-outs, quick-commerce growth and changing consumer preferences amid the ongoing heatwave.
Edited excerpts:
India is witnessing an exceptionally harsh summer this year. How has that translated into demand for the ice cream industry?
The summer of 2026 has completely changed the mood of the industry. Over the last two years, unseasonal rains during peak summer had severely impacted consumption and many companies saw either flat or negative growth. This year, however, record temperatures across India have triggered a very sharp rise in demand across both urban and rural markets. During peak heatwave periods, many companies are seeing sales growth of around 30-40% compared to last year. The recovery has restored confidence across the industry.
