Consumption: Heatwave boosts ice cream sales
In France, heat waves are causing a rush on ice cream, with sales up 14% this summer compared to 2024. Demand is so high that some manufacturers have had to urgently recruit staff in their factories.
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During a heatwave, ice cream melts the hearts of the French : +14% in sales compared to 2024. From cones to family pots and ice cream bars, these frosty pleasures, sometimes very sweet and high in calories, have seduced a retired couple. "With almonds or dark chocolate, I love it. It's the perfect dessert when it's hot and to quench your thirst, refresh yourself, relax, it's a question of well-being, in other words. And for indulgence at the same time," confides a woman. To cope with the high temperatures, a regular opted for water ices.
This season, Picard sold more than 16 million ice creams, or about 100 every minute. Many customers increased their consumption. Among the best sellers were individual sizes, with a 38% increase in purchases in one year. " Individual mochis, strawberry sticks, ice cream bars," explains Philippe Maitre, Picard's sales director.
Low-calorie sorbets are also popular. " You have mango, pineapple, coconut. The best-selling is strawberry and watermelon. It only has 42 calories. 42 calories is what's in an apple ," he continues.
The products are manufactured a few kilometers away, in a factory overwhelmed with orders. To meet demand, production of sticks had to be accelerated, going from 60,000 units per day during the summer of 2024 to 72,000 this season. Thanks to the reinforcements of around twenty temporary workers, there are four times as many as last year. Among the new recruits is Marie-Sarah Sanchez. " For me, it's very important as a student. It's really crucial for me to have financial support for my studies, to go out, to be able to travel. It's crucial for me to live all year round ," she assures.
Demand is such that the factory is running five hours longer each day than it was in 2024. "We've also reorganized our working hours. So, we start a little earlier in the morning. We start around 6:30 in the morning and work until about 7:00 or 8:00 in the evening ," explains Alain Kaskassian, co-manager of Alfagel.
Production is expected to remain high through the end of the month. More than eight out of ten French people consume ice cream every year.
Francetvinfo
