North America Cold Chain Market Outlook - Forecast Trends, Market Size, Share and Growth Analysis Report (2025-2034)

The North America cold chain market reached a value of approximately USD 116.85 Billion in 2024. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.50% between 2025 and 2034, reaching a value of around USD 289.58 Billion by 2034.

North America Cold Chain Market Growth Rate

The North America cold chain market is propelled by the increased global trade of temperature-sensitive products, rising demand from the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, and expansion of e-commerce and online grocery delivery services.

Increasing environmental awareness is driving cold chain operators to adopt sustainable practices, including eco-friendly packaging solutions and refrigeration systems with high energy efficiency.

As stated by USDA, in the U.S. 96% of all frozen red meat was kept stored in cold storage as of January 31, 2024, whereas it was 87% on February 28, 2023

According to Statistics Canada, the combined stock of frozen and chilled meats in Q1 and Q2 of 2024 amounted to 128,080 and 131,778 units respectively, boosting the North America cold chain market growth.

Key Trends and Developments

Increasing demand for fresh and frozen food, e-commerce expansion, technological advancements, and regulatory compliance are the major trends impacting the North America cold chain market growth.

June 2024

CJ Logistics America, a pioneering company in supply chain solutions and technology, has revealed plans to inaugurate a fresh cold storage facility in New Century, Kansas, situated nearly 30 miles from Kansas City.

April 2024

Lineage Logistics, a worldwide cold chain logistics provider, is introducing a cross-border transportation service that connects warehouses and markets in the US and Canada. This expands its distribution network and services in both countries.

April 2024

Agile Cold Storage, serving North American food industry players, plans a $45.9 million investment for a 150,000-square-foot automated cold storage facility in St. Tammany Parish, enhancing its logistical capabilities.

February 2024

United States Cold Storage Inc. is set to finalise an 8.56-million-cubic-foot refrigerated extension at its Tulare North warehouse in Tulare by February 2025.

Increasing Demand for Fresh and Frozen Food

With consumer preferences leaning towards healthier and more convenient food choices, the demand for frozen food items is increasing, highlighting the need for a robust cold chain infrastructure.

E-commerce Expansion

Online grocery shopping and meal kit delivery services' growth has heightened the need for cold chain logistics, ensuring safe and prompt delivery of perishable items to consumers' homes.

Technological Advancements

Technological advancements like IoT-enabled monitors, RFID tracking, and temperature-controlled packaging enhance cold chain operations, boosting real-time visibility and guaranteeing product quality and safety.

Regulatory Compliance

Stringent food safety regulations and quality standards are driving the adoption of cold chain technologies to maintain the integrity of perishable products throughout the supply chain.

North America Cold Chain Market Trends

In the North America cold chain sector, major development includes the rising shift towards investment in sustainable practices such as energy-efficient refrigeration systems, alternative fuels for transportation, and eco-friendly packaging solutions.

The pharmaceutical and healthcare industries require specialised cold chain logistics to transport temperature-sensitive medications and vaccines, driving the expansion of cold chain capabilities in North America.

North America Cold Chain Industry Segmentation

“North America Cold Chain Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Service Type

• Refrigerated Storage
• Refrigerated Transport
• Airways
• Roadways
• Seaways
• Railways

Market Breakup by Temperature

• Chilled
• Frozen

Market Breakup by End Use

• Meat and Seafood
• Dairy and Frozen Products
• Fruits and Vegetables
• Bakery and Confectionery
• Pharmaceuticals
• Others

Market Breakup by Country

• United States of America
• Canada

North America Cold Chain Market Share

Refrigerated storage boosts the North America cold chain market growth by preserving the freshness and quality of perishable items like fruits, vegetables, and meats through temperature and humidity control, thereby prolonging their shelf life.

Beyond food and beverage, refrigerated storage facilities also serve the pharmaceutical, healthcare, and biotechnology sectors, where temperature-sensitive products like vaccines, medicines, and biological samples require specialised storage conditions.

The integration of refrigerated transport across multiple modes of transportation expands the accessibility and reach of the cold chain network, enabling the efficient distribution of perishable goods to diverse geographic locations across North America.

Pharmaceuticals drive growth of the North America cold chain market by producing a wide range of temperature-sensitive products, including vaccines, and medications that require precise temperature control throughout the supply chain to maintain efficacy and integrity.

The pharmaceutical industry conducts numerous clinical trials and research studies that involve the transportation of biological samples, specimens, and investigational drugs. Cold chain logistics are essential for maintaining the integrity of these materials during transit.

Dairy and frozen products often face seasonal fluctuations in demand. Cold chain infrastructure enables producers to store surplus inventory during peak seasons and distribute it efficiently year-round, reducing waste and meeting consumer demand.

Leading Manufacturers in the North America Cold Chain Market

The logistics services are specialized in providing reliable logistics solutions by handling temperature-sensitive products.

Americold Logistics LLC

Founded in 1903 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The company is the world’s largest publicly traded REIT and a global leader in temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics.

Lineage Logistics Holding, LLC

Established in 1886 and is headquartered in Novi, MI. Lineage is a leading global temperature-controlled industrial REIT and solutions provider, operating over 480 strategically located facilities worldwide.

United States Cold Storage Inc.

Founded in 1889 and is headquartered in Camden, NJ. The company is dedicated to leading the frozen and refrigerated food industry by providing reliable logistics solutions.

VersaCold Logistics Services

Founded in 1946 and is a Vaughan, ON-based company. VersaCold is Canada's largest supply chain company that specialises exclusively in handling temperature-sensitive products.

North America Cold Chain Market Analysis by Region

The United States dominates the North American cold chain industry due to its robust biopharmaceutical sector. As a leading market for temperature-sensitive healthcare products like vaccines and biopharmaceuticals, the US fuels significant growth within the regional cold chain throughout the forecast period.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit - January 2023 it was stated that refrigerators should maintain temperatures between 2° C and 8° C (36° F and 46° F).

According to the Government of Canada, the storage temperature for frozen vaccines is between -50° C and -15° C (-58° F and +5° F).