When I was contemplating about turning vegan, there were two things that I knew I would miss the most. One was cheese and the other was ice-cream.

Ice-cream is childhood best friend, ice-cream is the instant boost you need on a bad day, and ice-cream is the silent company that you can always enjoy.

But when I dug further into it, I found Indian brands who were making vegan ice-creams, and I let a sigh of relief.

At that point, only a handful of brands were making plant-based ice cream, but now there are many more.

According to Market & Data, there has been a remarkable growth in the vegan ice cream market in India. The market size was valued at USD 70.62 million in FY2023 and now it’s expected to reach at USD 143.8 million in FY2031. That means something is definitely changing. The question is why?

India is a dairy obsessed country

We’re a country that grew up on chaas, lassi, ghee-filled parathas, kheer and of course our childhood favourite kulfi on a hot summer day. Dairy is a habit that has been passed down generations.

Then there are brands like Amul which have shaped how we think about milk and ice cream. You go to any kirana store, and you can easily pick up Amul ice cream at a decent rate. And when you choose anything else, by that I mean vegan ice-cream, it feels like a rebellion. That’s why the rise of vegan ice creams in the Indian market is a quiet cultural shift worth looking into.

So, What’s Driving this Growth?

The intolerant lactose

More people are realising that the constant complain about bloating or discomfort might be due to lactose malabsorption.

According to the National Institute of Nutrition, India has a genetic predisposition towards lactose intolerance—66% of South Indians and 27% of North Indians experience lactose malabsorption. This naturally creates a long-term market space for non-dairy alternatives.

People in urban centres who are aware of this are more willing to experiment with alternatives and they also have the purchasing power.

Health is a becoming a priority

Urban consumers are experimenting with “low-inflammation” eating that naturally nudges them towards plant-based options. Even sugar-conscious eaters are finding comfort in low-cal or no-added-sugar vegan brands like NOTO, which let them indulge without guilt. These factors are shaping how we think about dessert itself.

Rise of veganism

One of the main drivers is the growing demand for plant-based products, which is a byproduct of the rise of veganism, as more and more people are adopting plant-based diets. This is not just driven by health factors, but also because of ethical concerns surrounding animal welfare, environmental sustainability, global vegan movements, and celebrity influence.

Tech & Distribution

Adding to the boost is also its easy online availability in cities. Quick commerce sites like Swiggy and Blinkit are helping in the discovery of these products. The rise of social media promotions and user reviews has further propelled in making this market convenient and accessible.

In the last few years, the number of vegan ice creams brands have multiplied. You will easily find brands like WhiteCub, Brooklyn Creamery, Papacream, NOTO, Minus 30 — to name a few. And even traditional brands like Baskin Robbins and Keventers have introduced a range of dairy free ice creams as they’re also seeing the potential.

Innovation Rules Here

The winner of the Peta India award for the Best Vegan Ice Cream for 2025 went to 1.5 Degree’s The Original Gelato Biscoff. This ice cream is completely vegan, made with natural and clean ingredients, while maintaining a luxurious gelato texture, topped with Biscoff crumble and a dash of caramel.

This interesting mix of flavours shows that the vegan ice cream market is being innovative and not only trying to cater to a wide palate but also to people who seek novel tastes.

Coconut milk is used to create richness, cashew cream for buttery texture, and oat milk is used create low calorie ice cream.

If you scan the market, you’ll find flavours ranging from exotic fruits, decadent chocolates, unlikely combinations like ice cream infused with spices alongside the traditional flavours.

It doesn’t stop at that. There are sugar free versions made with dates or stevia. And there is ice cream also made with protein blends. Now that’s some innovation, isn’t it?

A bit about some of the vegan ice cream brands near me

• WhiteCub is India’s first vegan ice cream brand. It’s also India’s first cholesterol free, and trans free ice cream.
• Papacream was started by Tanvi Chowdhari, who left her career at Wall Street to follow her dream of creating an ice cream brand.
• The Brooklyn Creamery offers vegan ice creams, actually first started in Brooklyn.
• If you crave for something fancy, then try Nomou’s artisanal plant-based ice creams devoid of artificial preservatives, colours of flavours.

But Challenges Still Exist

Despite its steady growth, there are still some challenges that the vegan ice cream market has to face.

While plant-based lifestyle is gaining momentum in India, the overall awareness about it is still low in India compared to other markets. Vegan ice cream is still perceived to be a niche. The association of ice cream with dairy makes it difficult for plant-based alternatives to replace traditional choices.

The high price point compared to traditional dairy is also a matter of concern. The dairy industry gets high subsidies whereas the plant-based companies have to do it all.  

Though there is availability of vegan ice cream in the online space, the retail penetration still remains limited. Dairy ice creams are easily available in all kinds of store, but vegan ice creams are only found in select premium outlets. Also, there’s a logistical challenge to expand into smaller cities and towns in India.

But interestingly, according to TechSciReasearch, cities like Delhi, Chandigarh and Lucknow have a rising demand for vegan alternatives and the North region continues to lead in the vegan ice cream industry. This shift in taste is evident because a leading dairy brand like Keventers launched two vegan flavours in 2023.

Let’s eat vegan ice cream

Despite all the challenges, the market is showing a growth trajectory. It shows that consumers are willing to experiment, they’re becoming more aware, and what started as a trend is slowly moving into becoming a lifestyle choice. Ice cream, which was always looked at as an indulgence, is now turning into conscious indulgence for many.

About me: I’m a vegan writer, a wanderer at heart and someone who loves to cosy up with a book. After nearly two decades in television, I now tell stories that are plant-based, personal and rooted in the life that I’m building along the way. To know more click here.