There was a time in Bangladesh when the arrival of an ice cream van with its cheerful jingles meant pure joy. Children would run out clutching coins, eager to get their hands on a simple kulfi or a colourful popsicle. Today ice cream is no longer a street-side treat. It’s an artisanal experience served in chic cafés, plated like gourmet desserts, and tailored to the Instagram generation.

From schoolyard choc bars to tiramisu-infused gelato, ice cream in Bangladesh has undergone a full-blown identity crisis, but in the best way possible. What used to be predictable is now personal. The freezer isn’t just cold storage anymore. It’s a canvas of culture, memory, and mood.

The Daily Star (TDS): How would you describe the current state of the ice cream market in Bangladesh?

The ice cream industry in Bangladesh has been undergoing a transformative boom, fuelled by rising disposable incomes, expanding urbanisation, and a growing middle class with a taste for indulgence. Once a seasonal luxury, ice cream is fast becoming a staple of year-round urban leisure, with brands racing to meet evolving consumer preferences.