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According to Euronews, the highest comparable prices were recorded in the United Kingdom, and the lowest in Turkey. Within individual countries, price variations also remain significant. For example, on the Greek mainland, a scoop of ice cream costs an average of about €2.60, while on popular tourist islands, the price can reach €4–6. In Turkey, in tourist areas, a serving costs 100–120 Turkish lira (about €1.85–2.20), whereas in ordinary establishments in Istanbul, it costs about 62.5 lira (€1.15).
The United Kingdom stands out from the general comparison due to differences in consumption patterns. Britons are more likely to buy soft-serve ice cream or ready-made desserts from food trucks rather than individual scoops at gelaterias. According to a OnePoll survey commissioned by Aldi, the average price of such ice cream is £2.65, or about €3.10.
To assess not only the cost but also the affordability of the product, Euronews compared these prices to net income levels and working hours. The calculations showed that a hypothetical worker in Germany needs only 7.4 minutes to earn enough for one scoop of ice cream, whereas in Greece it would take 20.9 minutes.
In the United Kingdom, this figure is 9.3 minutes; in Belgium, 11.4 minutes; in Italy, 13.2 minutes; and in France, 14.5 minutes. In Turkey, Poland, and Spain, it takes about 15 minutes of work to buy a hypothetical scoop, and in Portugal, 16.6 minutes.
Eurostat data on income and working hours in EU countries were used for these calculations. Information on the United Kingdom and Turkey was provided by the OECD. The authors of the study emphasize that this is a hypothetical model that does not take into account individual differences in taxation, employment, and wage levels.
Manufacturers attribute the rise in ice cream prices primarily to higher energy costs. Stelios Glykos, president of the Greek Ice Cream Industry Association, told the newspaper Ta Nea that prices have risen by about 20% since 2020.
The cost of ingredients also affects production costs. According to Glykos, high-quality pistachios cost €40–80 per kilogram, whereas traditional flavors—vanilla and strawberry—have seen virtually no such increase in costs.
At the same time, inflationary pressure in the market is beginning to ease. According to Eurostat, over the past year (through June 2026), prices for ice cream, ice, and sorbets in the EU fell by 0.4%, and in the eurozone by 0.2%.
The most significant declines were recorded in Portugal (-8.3%), Sweden (-4.6%), Denmark, and Luxembourg (-2.8%). At the same time, prices rose by 7.9% in Lithuania, by 6.4% in Romania, and by 3.8% in Slovakia.
The study shows that even the cost of an everyday product like ice cream today reflects not only retailers’ pricing policies but also differences in income levels, tourism activity, and production costs across European countries.
