Dollar sales continue to grow annually, but not because Americans are eating more frozen desserts. Instead, the population is paying more for what it eats. Prices of all dairy products are at an all-time high, and frozen desserts are no exception. Although these higher prices make shoppers hesitant about purchasing frozen desserts at the retail level, they sure don’t hesitate at the foodservice level. This phenomenon is driving foodservice sales while retail sales are slowing.

Although ice cream accounted for 59.2% (or $13.8 billion) of all U.S. frozen dessert sales in 2007, ice cream’s place at the dessert table dropped 0.3 percentage points from 2006. Sales likely went to frozen yogurt. In 2007 alone, frozen yogurt sales grew 12% from the 2006 level. With consumers seeking better-for-you indulgence in a frozen form, frozen yogurt manufacturers have engaged in more innovation and new flavors, helping to revive the packaged frozen yogurt business.