Cadbury Ice Cream Tubs Pulled from Shelves Despite Top Ratings
A beloved ice cream brand has been abruptly discontinued, leaving many Australians disappointed. Cadbury ice cream tubs, recently lauded as Australia’s favourite supermarket ice cream by Canstar, have ceased production, with the shock news emerging just as the brand received widespread acclaim.
Canstar’s 2026 Most Satisfied Customers Awards, based on a comprehensive survey of 1,553 Australian shoppers, had crowned the Cadbury tubs as the standout performer. The tubs achieved a perfect five-star rating across several key categories, including overall satisfaction, flavour, value for money, and variety. They also received high marks for texture and packaging, earning four stars in these areas.
However, despite this recent accolade, a spokesperson for Cadbury confirmed the tubs were discontinued in supermarkets in September of last year. The decision was attributed to insufficient sales figures, which made it unviable for the products to remain on the market.
While the majority of Cadbury ice cream tubs have already vanished from supermarket shelves, there is a glimmer of hope for those seeking a last taste. A limited availability of the Cadbury Vanilla 460ml tub may still be found in convenience stores. Nevertheless, this product is also slated for discontinuation within the next four weeks, marking the definitive end of an era for Cadbury’s ice cream tub offerings.
When questioned about future ice cream product launches, the Cadbury spokesperson directed attention towards the company’s existing and popular range of chocolate-coated ice cream sticks, which are readily available in both supermarkets and convenience stores across the nation.
It’s worth noting that Cadbury’s presence in the single-serve ice cream market also saw them place respectably. Their single-serve ice creams secured third place in Canstar’s ranking of supermarket multi-packs. They trailed behind Aldi’s Monarc Crowns and Monarc Utopia, which took the top two spots.
The Canstar ice cream awards themselves were compiled from a survey conducted in April, polling shoppers who had purchased ice cream within the preceding six months. A Canstar spokesperson elaborated that the awards were finalised before Peters Ice Cream, the manufacturer of the Cadbury ice cream tubs, officially announced the cessation of production for the Cadbury Dairy Milk 460ml tub range.
Top-Rated Alternatives Emerge
For consumers seeking a high-quality alternative, the news from Canstar isn’t entirely bleak. Bulla has been highlighted as a strong contender, having also achieved a five-star rating for overall satisfaction in the same survey. This positions Bulla as a prime candidate for those looking to replace their Cadbury ice cream tubs.
Bulla’s ice cream tubs were recognised as Australia’s second favourite choice in the Canstar survey. Following closely behind were Connoisseur, which secured third place, and Blue Ribbon, rounding out the top four in fourth place.
The discontinuation of Cadbury ice cream tubs is undoubtedly a blow to many fans who have come to appreciate their unique flavours and textures. The collaboration between Cadbury and Peters Ice Cream, which first brought these tubs to market in 2019, introduced a range of popular options. These initial offerings included:
- Vanilla with Cadbury Dairy Milk pieces
- Chocolate
- Picnic
- Crunchie
- Oreo
In 2023, Cadbury expanded its ice cream portfolio with the introduction of the ‘Indulgent’ tubs range. These were smaller tubs featuring decadent, soft, and gooey centres, offering a more luxurious ice cream experience. Flavours within this range included:
- Dairy Milk Vanilla
- Caramello
- Caramilk
- Hazelnut (which was a later addition, released in 2024)
While the tubs may be gone, the legacy of Cadbury’s foray into the ice cream market, particularly its innovative tub formats, will likely be remembered fondly by Australian consumers. The brand’s commitment to flavour and indulgence, even in its ice cream products, was evident, and its departure from this segment will leave a noticeable gap. The focus now shifts to other brands that have proven their mettle in delivering satisfying ice cream experiences, with Bulla emerging as a particularly strong contender for those seeking a top-tier alternative.
