Europe Pharmaceutical Logistics - Market Share Analysis, Industry Trends & Statistics, Growth Forecasts (2026-2031)

Europe pharmaceutical logistics market size in 2026 is estimated at USD 93.8 billion, growing from 2025 value of USD 90.30 billion with 2031 projections showing USD 113.34 billion, growing at 3.87% CAGR over 2026-2031. This report is Segmented by Service Type (Transportation, Warehousing & Storage, Value-Added Services), Mode of Operation (Cold-Chain Logistics, Non-Cold-Chain Logistics), Product Type (Prescription Drugs, OTC Drugs, Biologics & Biosimilars, Vaccines & Blood Products, and More), and Geography (Germany, United Kingdom, and More). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

Europe Pharmaceutical Logistics Market Trends and Insights

Growth of Biologics & Temperature-Sensitive Drugs

Biologics, cell, and gene therapies are expanding faster than the broader life-sciences sector, with biopharma volumes growing at double-digit rates and pushing the share of cold-stored medicines to 35% of total pharmaceutical value in 2022. Nordic manufacturers such as Novo Nordisk and Fujifilm Diosynth are investing over DKK 70 billion (USD 10.36 billion) in capacity, creating fresh demand for GDP-certified storage and -80°C transport lanes. To curb cost and emission pressures, shippers are pivoting from air to ocean freight when lead-time and product risk profiles allow. Advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) now drive ultra-cold packaging innovations, while Sweden’s 146 CAR-T treatments in 2024 highlight the scale-up of personalized medicine workflows.

Surge in E-commerce/OTC Fulfillment Volumes

Europe’s e-pharmacy sector is projected to expand by 65% by 2028 as Germany, the UK, and France roll out e-prescription networks and AI-based order routing. Growth in home health services for an aging population requires time-defined, temperature-controlled last-mile deliveries. Logistics specialists such as Eurotranspharma have launched dedicated line-haul and city-distribution fleets to ensure GDP compliance down to the patient doorstep. Counterfeit risk and patchwork rules for controlled substances continue to constrain cross-border volume flows, but harmonized data-sharing platforms are mitigating compliance burdens.

High Energy & Refrigerant Costs for Cold-Chain Assets

EU F-gas quota curbs and a multi-year surge in R452A prices up to 1,000% since 2014 are inflating operating outlays for reefer fleets. OEMs such as Carrier Transicold have levied surcharges from January 2025 and plan lower-GWP blends later in the year. Power-price volatility, despite stabilizing LNG imports, is still eroding margins, spurring investments in solar-assisted depots and hydrocarbon refrigerants.

Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:

• Stricter EU GDP & Serialization Enforcement
• Outsourcing to 3PL/4PL Pharma-Specialists
• Driver Shortages and Road-Capacity Constraints

Segment Analysis

Transportation services accounted for 59.32% of Europe pharmaceutical logistics market share in 2025, underscoring the sector’s dependence on road, air, ocean, and rail capacity. Value-added services, though a smaller pool, are forecast to contribute USD 14.79 billion to Europe pharmaceutical logistics market size by 2031, expanding at 4.88% CAGR as shippers seek batch-level tracking, regulatory documentation, and kitting support. Road haulage moves the lion’s share of medicines, yet EU toll hikes pegged to CO₂ classes are tightening margins and accelerating fleet renewal toward battery-electric and hydrogen drivelines. Airfreight operators are retrofitting unit-load devices to meet ReFuelEU mandates for 2% sustainable aviation fuels from 2025, while ocean carriers leverage FuelEU Maritime rules to pitch lower-carbon temperature-controlled containers.

Automation and digitalization define future warehousing value creation. Fully robotized Nordic depots can move 1,000 pallets per hour, reducing human error and improving batch traceability. Meanwhile, the EUR 7 billion EU infrastructure package is expanding rail freight capacity, with the Lyon-Turin tunnel slated to boost inter-alpine pharmaceutical flows once operational. Overall, the service mix is shifting from pure transport toward integrated, temperature-controlled orchestration, allowing operators to lock-in multi-year contracts and stabilize revenue.

Complete Report Scope:

• By Service Type
  • Transportation
    • Road Freight
    • Air Freight
    • Sea Freight
    • Rail Freight
  • Warehousing and Storage
  • Value-added Services and Others
• By Mode of Operation
  • Cold-Chain Logistics
  • Non-Cold-Chain Logistics
• By Product Type
  • Prescription Drugs
  • OTC Drugs
  • Biologics and Biosimilars
  • Vaccines and Blood Products
  • Clinical Trail Materials
  • Cell and Gene Therapies
  • Medical Devices and Diagnostics
  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Others
• By Geography
  • Germany
  • United Kingdom
  • Netherlands
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Poland
  • Belgium
  • Sweden
  • Rest of Europe

List of Companies Covered in this Report:

• DHL
• FedEx
• Kuehne + Nagel International AG
• United Parcel Service (UPS)
• C.H. Robinson
• CEVA Logistics
• DSV A/S
• Eurotranspharma
• GEODIS
• Yusen Logistics
• World Courier
• Biocair
• Jan de Rijk Logistics
• Movianto
• Cencora
• Girteka Logistics
• Pfenning Group
• Rhenus Logistics
• LOXXESS AG
• Noatum Logistics

Additional Benefits:

• The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
• 3 months of analyst support