U.S. Residents Consumed Less Ice Cream in 2020 than in 2000

U.S. residents are scooping less of their favorite frozen treats than two decades ago. A new USDA’s Economic Research Service report shows that in 2020, the United States consumed about 21 pounds per person of frozen dairy products—about five pounds per capita less than in 2000.

Consumption of regular ice cream in 2020 was estimated at 12.7 pounds per person, a decrease of about 3.4 pounds from 2000. At 6.9 pounds, per capita consumption of low-fat and nonfat ice cream was about the same in 2020 as in 2000. Consumption of other frozen dairy products, which include frozen yogurt, sherbet, and other frozen dairy products, decreased from 3.4 pounds to 1.6 pounds per person in the same period.

This trend in frozen dairy products is in line with a decline in consumption of total caloric sweeteners per capita from 149.0 pounds in 2000 to 122.5 pounds per capita in 2020, reflecting shifting preferences among consumers.

Source: USDA