Perishable Goods Transportation Market Report 2026

The perishable goods transportation market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $15.71 billion in 2025 to $17.1 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of global food trade, growth in pharmaceutical distribution, rising consumption of frozen and fresh foods, development of refrigerated transport infrastructure, increased use of temperature-controlled storage.

The perishable goods transportation market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $23.56 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for fresh and organic products, expansion of e-commerce grocery delivery, rising investments in smart cold chain solutions, growing adoption of energy-efficient refrigeration systems, increasing regulatory focus on product quality assurance. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for cold chain logistics, rising adoption of reefer transportation solutions, growing use of temperature monitoring technologies, expansion of multi-modal perishable transport, enhanced focus on food safety compliance.

The expansion of the perishable goods transportation market is poised to be driven by the continued growth of e-commerce. E-commerce, characterized by the online buying and selling of goods and services, has become a prominent mode of commerce, involving digital transactions and electronic payments. The surge in online grocery shopping and the presence of e-commerce platforms offering perishable items accentuate the demand for specialized transportation services, ensuring the timely and fresh delivery of goods. Notably, in November 2023, data from the U.S. Census Bureau, a federal agency based in the United States, indicated a 7.6% increase in e-commerce estimates for the third quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. During the third quarter of 2023, e-commerce sales constituted 15.6% of the total sales. This trend underscores the significant role of e-commerce in propelling the perishable goods transportation market, reflecting the ongoing shift towards digital transactions and online shopping practices.

Major companies in the perishable goods transportation market are actively focused on developing innovative solutions, with a notable emphasis on services such as same-day perishable shipping. Same-day perishable shipping services represent specialized logistics solutions designed to transport and deliver perishable goods within the same day of initiating the shipping process. An illustrative example is WARP, a US-based logistics solutions technology company, which, in March 2023, launched 'DirectFresh.' This service empowers shippers of perishable goods by providing same-day and next-day direct store delivery. DirectFresh offers shippers a comprehensive end-to-end solution for their fresh freight needs, including transfers from manufacturers to cold storage and high-touch, in-store deliveries throughout the entire process. The service enables shippers to move products directly from cold storage to either a store or a WARP Station (cross-dock) on the same day, addressing their inventory requirements and eliminating the need for engaging with a last-mile delivery service. This strategic move reflects a commitment to enhancing efficiency and meeting the time-sensitive demands of perishable goods transportation.

In July 2023, Seafrigo, a French company known for its expertise in temperature-controlled logistics, acquired Perishable Movements Limited (PML) for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition strengthens Seafrigo's position in the perishable goods logistics market by enhancing its service offerings and broadening its operational reach. PML, a UK-based logistics company, specializes in the supply chain and transportation of perishable goods.

Major companies operating in the perishable goods transportation market are UPS Healthcare Logistics Inc., DHL Global Forwarding, Maersk Line Limited, Hapag-Lloyd AG, C. H. Robinson Worldwide Inc., The Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha- NYK Line, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd., Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd., Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) Ltd., Specialized Logistics International Inc., CRST International Inc., Weber Distribution LLC, Wincanton plc, Northland Services Inc., Stevens Transport Inc., COSCO Shipping Lines Co Ltd., VersaCold Logistics Services, Bay & Bay Transfer Co Inc., Geest Line Limited, Maestro Reefers A/S, Compañía Sudamericana de Vapores S.A.

North America was the largest region in the perishable goods transportation market in 2025. The regions covered in the perishable goods transportation market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the perishable goods transportation market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The perishable goods transportation market includes revenues earned by entities by the transportation of perishable goods by various means such as land, waterways, and airways. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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