After two summers got washed out by unseasonal rains, India’s 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, 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.
Are companies launching heatwave-specific or seasonal products to tap into this opportunity?
Absolutely. Companies are focusing heavily on refreshing and summer-centric innovations. Products such as raw mango sorbets, tender coconut-based desserts, fruit shots and cooling flavours are seeing strong consumer response. Younger consumers in particular are looking for lighter, refreshing and hydrating dessert experiences during extreme summer conditions.
In rural markets, affordable impulse products such as sticks and cups are moving extremely fast because consumers are looking for instant cooling at accessible price points. Urban consumers, on the other hand, are increasingly shifting towards premium products, family packs, fruit-based variants and quick-commerce-driven purchases. We are seeing strong traction across segments, though the consumption pattern differs between urban and rural markets.
Has the industry been able to keep pace with this sudden surge in demand?
Frankly, the industry has struggled to fully keep pace with the spike in demand. Because the last two years were uncertain, several companies postponed investments in manufacturing capacity and infrastructure expansion. As a result, most production facilities are currently operating at nearly 100% utilisation. At the same time, geopolitical tensions and disruptions in fuel and raw material supply chains have increased operational pressure. Shortages of LPG, diesel and certain inputs have also affected logistics and manufacturing efficiency.
Are stock-outs becoming common in the market?
Yes. Retailers and distributors are reporting extremely fast inventory rotation. In many locations, products that normally stayed at outlets for several days are now selling within hours of delivery. Distributors are finding it difficult to maintain ready inventory because demand is moving faster than anticipated. There is a clear “buy-now” consumer behaviour visible during peak heatwave days.
How important has quick commerce become for the industry?
Quick commerce has become one of the most important growth drivers this summer, especially in urban India. Consumers prefer ordering from home instead of stepping out during extreme afternoon temperatures. Rapid-delivery platforms are helping companies improve market reach and move inventory faster. However, this also creates additional pressure on cold-chain management and last-mile delivery systems.