The Magnum Ice Cream Company raised its 2026 sales-growth outlook after reporting 9.6% organic growth in the third quarter, supported by higher volumes and demand for branded ice cream.

The Amsterdam-based group announced on 29 October that third-quarter revenue reached €2.51 billion, up 12.1% on a reported basis from €2.24 billion a year earlier. Organic volume rose 7.3%, while price contributed 2.2%. Organic sales growth excludes certain acquisition and currency effects, so it differs from reported revenue growth.

The company now expects full-year organic sales growth of around 5.5%, above its previous 3% to 5% range. It kept its underlying adjusted EBITDA margin improvement forecast at 40 to 60 basis points on a comparable basis.

All three operating regions grew organically. Europe and Australia/New Zealand recorded growth of 8.9%, the Americas 3.9%, and Asia, Middle East and Africa 17.6%.

The company estimated that an extended European summer contributed two to three percentage points to quarterly growth. That distinction matters to supermarket category buyers: favourable weather can temporarily boost demand, and should not be confused with a permanent increase in household ice cream consumption.

Magnum and Heartbrand both grew sales at double-digit rates. Ben & Jerry’s increased sales by more than 9%, while Cornetto delivered high-single-digit growth. In the United States, Yasso grew by more than 30%, reflecting demand for higher-protein frozen snacks.

Retailers planning frozen-food ranges need to balance established premium brands, new products, affordable own label and freezer capacity. Innovation may generate incremental sales, but retailers must also assess the effect of price, promotions, seasonality and the space required in-store.

The group said its productivity programme was helping to offset higher oil and energy costs. Energy also matters to retailers operating freezer cabinets and to suppliers maintaining temperature-controlled distribution.

GTN has previously covered several of the brands in its UK FMCG company analysis and examined the wider food and grocery supply chain through its sector guides.

The next test is whether the stronger sales trend holds beyond the unusually warm European quarter and supports the raised full-year forecast.

Editor’s Note: Based on The Magnum Ice Cream Company’s official Q3 2026 trading update of 29 October. GTN analysis focuses on freezer-space decisions, volume growth and seasonal grocery demand.