Due to demand from our IDFA ice cream members, these resources will provide an overview of butterfat and cream markets, especially related to ice cream production. 

While ice cream sales are more seasonal than any other dairy product, most manufacturers produce ice cream year-round to meet peak seasonal demand. Volatility in butter and cream markets also creates volatile ingredients costs for processors.

This resource covers several areas related to fat costs in ice cream:

  1. Regulatory and market roles
  2. Chicago Mercantile Exchange spot butter market
  3. Federal Milk Marketing Orders butterfat formula
  4. General industry practice for cream costing
  5. General considerations for managing fat cost for ice cream

IDFA Staff Contacts:

Danielle Quist

Vice President, Regulatory Affairs and Counsel

Donald Grady

Senior Director, Legislative Affairs