Yes, but incredibly corrupt businessmen from that era created such changed demand that it redefined how people view essential vs luxuries.

Back then, having ice was a seasonal thing for everyone, a mostly year-round thing for rich landowners storing ice in their vaults, and not a thing ever at all for folks living in hot climates like the UAE. It’s why smoked food/adobe sauce exists from before mechanical refrigeration or readily available ice.

Charlie boy changed that. He shipped ice all over the world, creating demand where there wasn’t any - and caused widespread impacts to cultures and economies, not to mention the environment. Now chilled food/drink is available (if not prevalent) in most societies, and isn’t thought of as a luxury item - in the US lobbying tells us that “Ice is food” and should qualify for food stamps