Cold Chain Storage and Logistics Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Cold Chain Storage, Cold Chain Logistics), By Application (Fruits & Vegetables, Bakery & Confectionary, Dairy & Frozen Desserts, Meat, Fish, & Sea Food, Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, Others), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 306.49 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	16.02%
Fastest Growing Segment	Dairy & Frozen Desserts
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 747.50 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Cold Chain Storage and Logistics Market will grow from USD 306.49 Billion in 2025 to USD 747.50 Billion by 2031 at a 16.02% CAGR. The Global Cold Chain Storage and Logistics Market encompasses the integrated temperature-controlled supply chain infrastructure, including refrigerated warehousing and transportation fleets, designed to preserve the quality and efficacy of perishable goods such as food products and pharmaceuticals from origin to consumption. The primary drivers supporting market growth include the escalating global demand for processed and frozen foods which necessitates robust preservation networks, alongside the pharmaceutical industry’s rigid compliance requirements for distributing temperature-sensitive biologics and vaccines across international borders. These fundamental necessities ensure sustained demand for reliable cold chain solutions distinct from temporary technological trends.

According to the Global Cold Chain Alliance, in 2025, members collectively operated 231 million cubic meters of temperature-controlled capacity, reflecting the sector's substantial physical scale and ongoing investment in infrastructure. However, a significant challenge impeding market expansion is the high volatility of energy costs required to maintain low temperatures, which creates substantial financial pressure on operators and necessitates capital-intensive upgrades for energy efficiency that can delay broader network development.

Key Market Drivers

The Globalization of International Trade in Perishable Commodities is significantly propelling the market as supply chains lengthen to satisfy year-round consumer demand for off-season produce and temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals. This trend necessitates sophisticated logistics networks capable of maintaining strict temperature integrity across borders and transport modes, particularly for high-value time-sensitive shipments. Consequently, the reliance on air freight for cold chain logistics has intensified to mitigate transit times and ensure product quality upon arrival. According to the International Air Transport Association, January 2025, in the 'Full Year 2024 Air Cargo Market Analysis', global air cargo demand increased by 11.3% in 2024, driven by the robust cross-border movement of e-commerce and perishable goods.

Simultaneously, the Increasing Global Consumption of Frozen and Perishable Foods is compelling operators to aggressively scale their physical infrastructure and storage capabilities. As dietary habits shift towards convenience and processed foods, the industry is witnessing a surge in capital investment dedicated to expanding warehouse density and modernizing legacy facilities to handle higher throughput. This physical expansion is evident among market leaders, and according to the Global Cold Chain Alliance, April 2025, in the '2025 Global Top 25 List', the top 25 global operators collectively added 640 million cubic feet of capacity over the previous year. This operational scaling translates into financial resilience. According to Lineage, Inc., in 2025, the company reported that its full-year 2024 Adjusted EBITDA grew by 4.0% to $1.3 billion, highlighting the sector's sustained profitability.

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Key Market Challenges

The high volatility of energy costs presents a substantial barrier to the sustainable growth of the Global Cold Chain Storage and Logistics Market. Maintaining strict temperature controls for perishable foods and temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals necessitates the continuous, uninterrupted operation of energy-intensive refrigeration systems across warehouses and transportation fleets. When energy prices fluctuate unpredictably, operators face immediate spikes in operational expenses that are difficult to pass on to customers quickly. This financial instability erodes profit margins and forces logistics providers to adopt a defensive financial posture, prioritizing liquidity over market expansion or infrastructure development.

This economic pressure directly hampers growth by diverting necessary capital away from network capacity enhancements. Instead of investing in new facilities to meet the rising global demand for cold storage, companies are compelled to direct funds toward covering escalating utility bills or financing capital-intensive retrofits aimed solely at mitigating consumption. According to the Global Cold Chain Alliance, in 2025, the sector experienced a sharp 4.95% spike in electricity costs during the first quarter compared to the previous year. Such rising operational costs limit the financial resources available for broader network development, effectively slowing the industry's ability to scale its physical infrastructure at the pace required by the market.

Key Market Trends

The Rise of Solar-Powered Cold Storage Infrastructure is rapidly emerging as a critical strategy for operators aiming to decouple operational stability from volatile energy markets. By retrofitting warehouse rooftops with photovoltaic systems, logistics providers are establishing energy self-sufficiency to counteract the substantial electricity consumption inherent in maintaining low temperatures. This transition not only stabilizes long-term utility expenses but also aligns the sector with decarbonization mandates without compromising the thermal integrity required for perishable goods. According to Lineage, Inc., November 2024, in the '2024 Sustainability Report', the company successfully expanded its renewable energy capabilities to reach 146 megawatts of installed solar-generating capacity globally.

Widespread Adoption of Warehouse Automation and Robotics is fundamentally transforming facility operations by shifting reliance away from manual handling toward autonomous systems. Companies are increasingly deploying automated storage and retrieval systems to ensure continuous throughput and mitigate the financial risks posed by a shrinking and more expensive workforce. This technological integration allows facilities to maintain high-velocity distribution schedules while directly offsetting the escalating costs associated with human labor. According to the Global Cold Chain Alliance, March 2025, in the 'Cold Chain Index 2024 Quarter 4', labor costs for the transportation and warehousing sector increased by 4.59% in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to the previous year.

Segmental Insights

The Dairy and Frozen Desserts segment represents the fastest growing category within the Global Cold Chain Storage and Logistics Market due to shifting consumer dietary patterns and rising demand for perishable convenience foods. This expansion is further accelerated by the necessity for precise temperature management to maintain product integrity during international trade. Regulatory frameworks such as the Food Safety Modernization Act enforced by the FDA necessitate stringent protocols for temperature monitoring, thereby compelling logistics providers to enhance their infrastructure. Consequently, the increased focus on minimizing spoilage and ensuring food safety drives the substantial demand for specialized cold chain solutions in this sector.

Regional Insights

North America maintains the leading position in the Global Cold Chain Storage and Logistics Market due to the established pharmaceutical and food processing sectors. The high demand for frozen foods and biologics requires reliable temperature-controlled transportation and warehousing. Additionally, strict compliance mandates from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, specifically the Food Safety Modernization Act, enforce rigorous safety standards across the supply chain. These regulatory requirements drive the adoption of standardized logistics services. Consequently, the presence of major market players and an expansive infrastructure network supports the region's sustained market leadership.

Recent Developments

• In May 2025, DHL Supply Chain inaugurated a new cold-storage warehouse at its life sciences and healthcare campus in Florstadt, Germany. The facility, representing a significant expansion of the company's medical logistics infrastructure, featured multiple temperature zones to accommodate a wide range of pharmaceutical products, including a deep-freeze area. The CEO of DHL Supply Chain for Europe, Middle East, and Africa emphasized that the new site was positioned to meet the growing demand for specialized storage and handling of sensitive biopharmaceuticals. This development was part of a broader investment strategy aimed at increasing the company's capacity and capabilities in the life sciences sector across the European market.
• In November 2024, Lineage finalized the acquisition of ColdPoint Logistics, a provider of warehousing and transport solutions, for $223 million. This strategic move expanded the company's operational footprint in the Kansas City region, a critical hub for the protein supply chain in the United States. The transaction included a 621,000-square-foot facility equipped with significant pallet capacity and specialized blast cells. The CEO of Lineage stated that the integration of these assets would enhance service efficiency for customers by providing direct access to major rail networks and ports. The acquisition underscored the company's continued focus on strengthening its global network through targeted investments in key logistics corridors.
• In September 2024, Carrier Transicold announced the commercial launch of its new Vector HE 19 trailer refrigeration unit during the IAA Transportation event in Germany. This advanced system featured a new refrigerant with a low global warming potential and was fully compatible with biofuels, significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions while maintaining high performance. The Vice President of Truck Trailer International at Carrier Transicold noted that the innovation aligned with the company's sustainability goals by offering customers a solution that reduced environmental impact without compromising efficiency. The unit demonstrated a substantial reduction in emissions compared to standard diesel-powered systems, addressing the industry's push for greener logistics.
• In April 2024, Americold Realty Trust officially broke ground on a new $127 million cold storage facility in Kansas City, Missouri. This development was undertaken as part of a strategic collaboration with Canadian Pacific Kansas City to co-locate warehouse infrastructure directly on the rail network, thereby optimizing intermodal transport for temperature-controlled goods. The 335,000-square-foot facility was designed to support the seamless movement of freight between the United States and Mexico, enhancing supply chain efficiency. The CEO of Americold highlighted that this project would deliver a differentiated service offering by combining cold storage capabilities with extensive rail connectivity to support diverse customer needs across North America.

Key Market Players

• Thai Max Cold Storage Co. Ltd
• Nichirei Corporation
• Americold Reality Trust Inc.
• Nippon Express Co. Ltd
• John Swire & Sons (H.K.) Ltd
• Interstate Cold Storage Inc.
• Agility Holdings Inc.
• Snowman Logistics Ltd.
• JWD InfoLogistics Public Company Limited
• Burris Logistics

By Type	By Application	By Region
Cold Chain Storage Cold Chain Logistics	Fruits & Vegetables Bakery & Confectionary Dairy & Frozen Desserts Meat Fish & Sea Food Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Cold Chain Storage and Logistics Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Cold Chain Storage and Logistics Market, By Type:

• Cold Chain Storage
• Cold Chain Logistics

• Cold Chain Storage and Logistics Market, By Application:

• Fruits & Vegetables
• Bakery & Confectionary
• Dairy & Frozen Desserts
• Meat
• Fish
• & Sea Food
• Drugs & Pharmaceuticals
• Others

• Cold Chain Storage and Logistics Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE