Aberdeenshire ice cream giant Mackie's has agreed more than a million pounds worth of supermarket deals amid a "difficult summer for ice cream".
Research conducted by Nielsen GB found the volume of litres of ice cream sold had fallen by 10%, while the market value of the product had declined 8%.
However, Mackie's has reported an impressive 18% increase in both volume and value growth as its premium product continues to be a hit with consumers.
The North-east firm's products will now be on sale in an additional 1,000+ UK stores in the coming year after it agreed a deal worth more than £1million with some of the UK's biggest grocers.
Fruity flavours ripple through UK
The company's high standards emanate from its fifth generation dairy farm, which is powered primarily by wind and solar renewable energy.
Mackie's continues to be the industry leader in Scotland, but Will Dixon, head of sales, admits there's "so much room for growth" in the rest of the UK.
“Our focus on maintaining high quality standards while maintaining competitive pricing in challenging market conditions has resonated with consumers," he said.
“With the temperature finally starting to rise across the UK, we’re confident we can build on these strong sales and see even more ice cream lovers trying and enjoying our delicious range of flavours, which are more easily available than ever."
The brand has recently expanded distribution for its honeycomb, strawberry swirl and and raspberry ripple flavours.
The new deal includes expansions into Asda, Morrisons, Tesco and Sainsbury's.
“Our goal is to maintain high Scotland sales, where we remain the nation’s favourite and best-selling ice cream, and expand across the rest of the UK where there is so much room for growth." Will added.
“That is where our focus is as a brand, to continue to get more Mackie’s flavours out there for people across the UK to enjoy.”
Green ice cream
The family run farm has prided itself on its use of renewable energy, which generated £1.2m in the year ending May 31, 2023.
Around 70% of the business' power is renewably generated on site through solar, wind and biomass boilers.
Redesigning its iconic 1L tubes has reduced plastic use by nearly a quarter.
And the Aberdeenshire business also picked up the Sustainability Award at the most recent Food and Drink Excellence Awards in Edinburgh last September.