# Why ice cream van prices are soaring: a 99 with Flake now costs £7

UK ice cream van operators are raising prices sharply, with a traditional 99 Flake costing up to £7. The surge is driven by higher costs for ingredients, fuel, and wholesale electricity, plus staff shortages. The price hikes reflect broader inflation pressures hitting small street-food businesses.

**Importance:** 2/5

## Sources

### Business
- [The Guardian Biz](https://www.theguardian.com/food/2026/aug/04/whats-behind-the-surge-in-ice-cream-van-prices) — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:22:51 GMT