Cold Chain Logistics Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Cold Chain Logistics Market is projected to expand from USD 345.91 Million in 2025 to USD 833.23 Million by 2031, reflecting a CAGR of 15.78%. This sector involves managing temperature-regulated products, such as pharmaceuticals and perishable foods, to ensure safety and quality throughout the supply network. Key growth drivers include the globalization of the food trade, the increasing complexity of distributing biologic drugs, and the structural transition toward online grocery shopping. Consequently, these factors demand robust infrastructure to reduce product spoilage and guarantee regulatory adherence across international boundaries.

Recent industry data supports this expansion trajectory. According to the Global Cold Chain Alliance, in 2025, the total temperature-controlled capacity among its members reached 231 million cubic meters, a year-over-year increase of more than 10 percent. Despite this growth, the market faces a major obstacle due to high operational costs. The significant energy usage required for continuous refrigeration, coupled with expensive fleet maintenance, limits profitability and hinders infrastructure development in price-sensitive markets.

Market Drivers

The escalating global demand for temperature-regulated pharmaceuticals and biologics is fundamentally transforming the cold chain logistics sector, requiring stricter standards for thermal stability and monitoring. This shift is driven by a growing reliance on sophisticated medical treatments, such as cell and gene therapies and vaccines, which necessitate precise ultra-cold storage and transport to preserve efficacy. Consequently, logistics providers are investing significantly in specialized infrastructure to ensure regulatory compliance from production to administration. Highlighting this industry commitment, according to DHL Group, March 2025, in the '2024 Annual Report', the company intends to invest 2 billion euros in its health logistics division by 2030 to enhance pharmaceutical handling capabilities and launch new hubs.

Simultaneously, the rapid growth of fresh food e-commerce and online grocery shopping is increasing the complexity and volume of cold chain activities. As consumers increasingly use digital platforms for perishable items, retailers must build advanced last-mile delivery systems and automated fulfillment centers to maintain product quality directly to the customer.

This trend is evidenced by strong sector performance; according to Ocado Group, February 2025, in the 'FY24 Results' report, order volumes on its retail platform rose by 12.5 percent over the fiscal year, indicating continued demand for grocery delivery services. To leverage this growth, major players are securing substantial capital for network expansion. For example, according to Lineage, Inc., November 2024, in the 'Third-Quarter 2024 Financial Results', the firm raised $5.1 billion in gross proceeds through its initial public offering, enabling significant investment in global cold storage facilities.

Market Challenges

High operational expenses constitute a major barrier to the sustainable growth of the cold chain logistics industry. The need for continuous refrigeration results in substantial energy usage, exposing companies to fluctuating utility rates and reducing profit margins. This financial pressure is compounded by the capital needed for regular fleet maintenance to guarantee strict temperature compliance. When logistics providers must allocate a large share of revenue to these essential operating costs, they have fewer funds available for infrastructure modernization or capacity growth. As a result, this dynamic deters investment in emerging markets where customers may be unable to afford the premium prices necessary to cover these overheads.

Recent market data highlights the severity of these rising costs. According to the Global Cold Chain Alliance, in 2025, total cold storage expenses rose by 4.97 percent in the first quarter compared to the same period the prior year. This ongoing inflation in operating expenditures creates a high entry barrier for new competitors and restricts the ability of existing firms to scale efficiently. As companies strive to sustain profitability amid increasing expenses, the overall growth potential of the global market remains constrained.

Market Trends

The transition toward energy-efficient and solar-powered cold storage infrastructure is becoming a vital response to volatile utility prices and regulatory decarbonization mandates. Operators are increasingly retrofitting sites with on-site renewable energy systems to decrease reliance on traditional power grids and lower scope 2 emissions. This shift extends beyond panel installation to include microgrid technologies that ensure resilience during outages, which is crucial for protecting perishable inventory. According to Lineage, November 2024, in the '2023 Sustainability Report', the company’s installed solar generation capacity across its global network reached 146 megawatts, illustrating the scale at which major logistics providers are adopting internal energy production for long-term sustainability.

Simultaneously, the adoption of artificial intelligence for predictive supply chain analytics is revolutionizing how companies handle asset utilization and fleet safety. Unlike traditional passive tracking, AI-powered systems actively process massive datasets to forecast equipment breakdowns, optimize routes based on real-time traffic, and automate compliance tasks. This technological advancement enables firms to move from reactive troubleshooting to proactive operations management, significantly lowering insurance risks and downtime. Confirming this momentum, according to Samsara Inc., June 2024, in the 'State of Connected Operations Report', 87 percent of physical operations leaders intend to increase their investment in artificial intelligence technologies in the coming year to enhance safety and efficiency.

Key Players Profiled in the Cold Chain Logistics Market

• Americold Logistics, LLC
• Burris Logistics
• Cold Box
• Conestoga Cold Storage
• Congebec
• Lineage Logistics Holding, LLC
• Nichirei Corporation
• Tippmann Group
• United States Cold Storage
• VersaCold Logistics Services

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Cold Chain Logistics Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Cold Chain Logistics Market, by Service Type:

• Refrigerated Warehouse
• Refrigerated Transportation

Cold Chain Logistics Market, by Application:

• Seafood
• Meat
• Fruit & Vegetable
• Dairy Products
• Alternative Protein
• Others

Cold Chain Logistics Market, by Temperature Type:

• Frozen
• Chilled

Cold Chain Logistics Market, by Technology:

• Dry Ice
• Gel Packs
• Eutectic Plates
• Liquid Nitrogen
• Quilts

Cold Chain Logistics Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Cold Chain Logistics Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.