Ice cream has always been considered a go-to summer snack. But according to recent statistics, sales of ice cream in Korea dropped by a staggering 35% in the summer of 2024 compared to the previous year. Despite the sweltering heat, why are consumers turning away from this classic cold treat? This post explores the reasons behind this unexpected market downturn. 1. The Paradox: Excessive Heat Makes Ice Cream Less Appealing It’s common sense that higher temperatures drive up ice cream sales. However, once temperatures exceed 35°C , people tend to choose faster thirst-quenching options like cold drinks or water . Ice cream is a dessert meant to be enjoyed slowly, which becomes unappealing under extreme heat. 2. Rising Production Costs: Coconut Oil, Dairy, and Sugar Ice cream producers are also dealing with significantly increased ingredient costs . Coconut oil , a key imported ingredient, is subject to volatile global prices. Combined with rising dairy and sugar costs, this has...