Ice cream hit by two scoops of inflation
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Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios
We won't all just be screaming for ice cream on National Ice Cream Day this Sunday, we'll be screaming about its high prices.
Why it matters: At the height of summer, prices for America's go-to frozen treat are hitting new highs, according to federal data.
The big picture: The average price of a half gallon of ice cream was $6.49 in June, up nearly 6% from June 2024, per the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via FRED released Wednesday.
- The price of a half gallon is up nearly 33% since June 2021, when it was $4.89.
Zoom in: Soaring ingredient costs, extreme weather and hot demand are fueling the higher prices.
- Chocolate-based flavors are impacted by a surge in global cocoa prices, which have increased 150% in the last 12 months.
By the numbers: Americans spent $289 on ice cream in 2024 and $170 in the first five months of 2025, according to data from Empower.
- Americans spent $31 on ice cream in May 2025, a 26.5% jump over April 2025, Empower found. Gen Z spent nearly double any other group, forking over an average of $63.20 in May.
- Millennials purchased $33, Boomers, $32.60, and Gen X, $25.10, in May, per Empower.
- The average American eats roughly 19 pounds of ice cream each year, or about 4 gallons, per the International Dairy Foods Association.
National Ice Cream Day deals and freebies
Dig in: Deals and freebies at certain restaurant chains on National Ice Cream Day can provide some relief from the inflationary pressures. The day is marked annually on the third Sunday in July.
Here are some of the deals available on Sunday, July 20:
- Baskin-Robbins: From July 20–26, Baskin-Robbins Rewards members get $5 off orders that are $20 or more through third-party delivery.
- Burger King: Royal Perks members get a free soft serve ice cream Sunday with a $1 or more purchase and an offer in the chain's app or website.
- Chuck E. Cheese: Get a free small Dippin' Dots Sundae with a digital coupon when you enter your phone number. One per household.
- Dairy Queen: DQ Rewards members can receive a free Dilly Bar with any order of $1 or more through the chain's app or website through Sunday. Limit one.
- Dunkin': Dunkin' Rewards members get 3 times the points on frozen beverages Sunday for National Ice Cream Day.
- Wendy's: Get a free small Frosty — a Classic, Frosty Swirl or Frosty Fusion flavors — with any purchase Sunday through a digital offer in the chain's app.
