Super Garden targets APAC expansion with shelf-stable freeze dried ice cream

Dairy regulations pose the main hurdle as the Lithuanian firm builds on early sales in Japan and Korea.

Lithuanian food maker Super Garden is targeting wider Asia-Pacific distribution for its freeze-dried ice cream, but dairy regulations could complicate market entry.

Speaking in an interview during the Thailand Food Exhibition 2026, Tomas Nagelė, CCO of Super Garden, said the company produces ice cream that can be stored at room temperature after water is removed through freeze drying. The product has a shelf life of up to three years and does not require a cold chain.

Super Garden is already selling in Asia-Pacific, particularly Japan and Korea. Its expansion case rests on shelf stability, which could make the product easier to distribute than conventional frozen desserts.

The company is positioning the product as a snack format rather than standard ice cream. Nagelė said the product starts with a crunchy texture before melting in the mouth.

The main constraint is regulation. Although Super Garden classifies the product as candy, Nagelė said dairy rules still apply because it is made from ice cream. That could create different approval and import requirements across APAC markets.

The company sees regional demand for products that offer novelty and easier storage, but growth will depend on execution. Distributors will have to test whether freeze-dried ice cream can move beyond curiosity purchases into repeat sales.

For Super Garden, the opportunity is to use shelf-stable ice cream to bypass cold-chain limits. The risk is that dairy regulation and consumer unfamiliarity slow wider adoption.