Heat wave drives record sales of water and ice

High Temperatures in June: Heat Wave Drives Record Sales of Water and Ice Cream

The heat wave at the end of June led to record sales of mineral water and ice cream across the country. Soft drinks and beer mixed beverages were also popular choices for cooling down.

Stay hydrated and keep cool: During the heat wave that gripped large parts of Germany at the end of June, sales of mineral water and ice cream climbed to record levels nationwide. In the last week of June, purchases of still water rose by 77 percent and sparkling water by 63 percent compared to an average summer week in the years 2023 to 2025.

Ice cream sales also saw a significant surge: in the week of June 22 to 28, ice cream sales were up by 90 percent. This emerges from current data published today by the Federal Statistical Office. The statisticians analysed scanner data from large supermarket chains.

"All three product categories recorded their highest sales volumes during this week of extreme temperatures around 40 degrees Celsius — the highest measured since the beginning of the observation period in early 2023," the report states.

Gains in Beer and Soft Drinks Too

In addition to water and ice cream, record quantities of other beverages were also sold: sales of beer mixed drinks in the last week of June were 63 percent higher than in an average summer week.

Sales of non-alcoholic beer grew by 38 percent, lemonade by 34 percent, and cola by 32 percent. "Sales did not, however, reach record highs," the statisticians emphasised.

Next Heat Wave on the Way

At the end of June, temperatures in many parts of Germany climbed well above 40 degrees Celsius. And the next heat wave is already approaching: temperatures of 33 degrees are expected in the southwest today, while up to 39 degrees are possible on Thursday along the Upper Rhine and in Franconia, according to the German Weather Service (DWD) in Offenbach.

DWD meteorologist Markus Eifried advises opening windows during the coming night: "Wednesday night will be the last cool night for airing out homes" — with lows between ten and 20 degrees.

According to calculations by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the June heat wave caused approximately 5,100 heat-related deaths. The RKI notes that heat rarely causes death directly. In most cases, it is the combination of heat and pre-existing conditions. Older people and those with cardiovascular or respiratory diseases are considered particularly at risk.