Who Profits When You Buy Ice Cream or Butter at the Store?

That scoop of ice cream on a hot day may taste sweet, but for dairy farmers, the payoff isn’t nearly as rich. In 2024, farmers earned just 19 percent of the retail price of ice cream — a stark contrast to the 57 percent they receive from butter. The difference comes down to processing: ice cream’s blend of ingredients, packaging, and marketing adds layers of cost, while butter remains closer to its raw form. It’s a reminder of how complex — and costly — our food systems have become. Mónica Cordero with Sentient has the full story.

Mónica Cordero

Investigate Midwest

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