Cold Chain Logistics Market Report 2025

The cold chain logistics market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $287.07 billion in 2024 to $325.68 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growing demand for perishable food products, increasing pharmaceutical and vaccine distribution, rising e-commerce penetration in food and grocery delivery, and growing investments in cold storage infrastructure.

The cold chain logistics market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $535.21 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing regulatory requirements for product safety and quality, rising urbanization and middle-class population, growing globalization of trade in temperature-sensitive goods, and rising healthcare expenditure and aging population. Major trends in forecast period includes innovative solutions to offer last-mile delivery, advancements in refrigeration technology, adoption of IoT, machine learning for route optimization, and smart packaging with embedded sensors.

The forecast of 13.2% growth over the next five years reflects a slight reduction of 0.1% from the previous projection. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. Tariffs on refrigeration units, insulated containers, and monitoring systems may escalate logistics costs for temperature-sensitive goods, impacting supply reliability. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The continued rise in e-commerce is expected to drive the expansion of the cold chain logistics market. E-commerce, which involves the buying and selling of goods or services online through digital payments and data transfers, is growing rapidly due to the convenience it offers consumers, allowing them to shop from home and save time. Cold chain logistics plays a crucial role in supporting e-commerce by ensuring that temperature-sensitive products are transported under controlled conditions, preserving their freshness and safety during delivery. For example, in August 2024, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that U.S. retail e-commerce sales reached an estimated $282.3 billion in the second quarter of 2024, marking a 5.3% increase compared to the first quarter of 2023. This surge in e-commerce activities is driving the growth of the cold chain logistics market.

Leading companies in the cold chain logistics market are focusing on technological advancements and strategic, technology-driven logistics services to improve temperature control, traceability, and overall supply chain efficiency. These logistics services leverage advanced technologies and data-driven strategies to optimize cold chain operations, providing real-time visibility and ensuring the safe and efficient transport of temperature-sensitive goods. For instance, in October 2022, Snowman Logistics Limited, an India-based cold chain logistics provider, launched its Fifth-Party Logistics (5PL) services. This service integrates end-to-end supply chain management, offering scalability, cost optimization, and improved efficiency through advanced technologies, enabling businesses to focus on their core activities while ensuring streamlined logistics operations across various markets and industries.

In January 2025, United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS), a US-based package delivery company, acquired Frigo-Trans and BPL for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition allows UPS to expand its capabilities in temperature-controlled logistics and strengthens its position in the pharmaceutical and healthcare supply chain sectors. By integrating the specialized cold chain networks and expertise of Frigo-Trans and BPL, UPS aims to enhance its offerings in this vital industry. Frigo-Trans and BPL are both Germany-based companies that provide cold chain logistics services.

Major players in the cold chain logistics market are DHL International GmbH, United Parcel Service Incorporated, Mærsk A/S, C.H. Robinson Worldwide Incorporated, Deutsche Bahn Schenker AG, Lineage Logistics Holdings LLC, AmeriCold Logistics LLC, Fritz SchäFer GmbH, VersaCold Logistics Services, OOCL Logistics Limited, Comfrio Soluções Logísticas S.A., NewCold Coöperatief UA, Burris Logistics Incorporated, AGRO Merchants Group LLC, Congebec Logistics Inc., Friozem Armazens Frigorificos Ltda, CEVA Logistics SA, Localfrio S.A., Frialsa Frigorificos SA, Conestoga Cold Storage Limited.

North America was the largest region in the cold chain logistics market in 2024. Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in cold chain logistics report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the cold chain logistics market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The cold chain logistics market includes revenues earned by entities by providing last mile cold delivery, cold chain monitoring, and temperature-controlled packaging. The market value encompasses the revenue from goods sold as part of the service offering or directly by the service provider. 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).

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sharp rise in U.S. tariffs and the resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are having a considerable impact on the transport services sector by increasing the costs of vehicles, spare parts, and fuel - critical inputs frequently imported from tariff-affected regions. Freight operators, logistics companies, and public transportation providers are experiencing margin pressures as elevated equipment and maintenance expenses coincide with limited flexibility to pass these costs on to customers due to intense market competition. This climate of uncertainty has also led to delays in fleet upgrades and the adoption of greener, more energy-efficient vehicles, hindering progress toward sustainability objectives. In response, transport firms are enhancing route optimization, investing in fuel-efficient technologies, renegotiating supplier agreements, and adopting collaborative logistics strategies to share resources and cushion the financial impact of rising tariffs.

The cold chain logistics market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides cold chain logistics market statistics, including cold chain logistics industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a cold chain logistics market share, detailed cold chain logistics market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the cold chain logistics industry. This cold chain logistics market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Cold chain logistics refers to a temperature-controlled supply chain designed to transport and store sensitive products, such as beverages, ensuring their freshness and quality through refrigerated trucks, storage facilities, and monitoring systems. This logistics process is essential for maintaining product integrity and safety, especially for dairy, juices, and alcoholic beverages, throughout all stages of handling and distribution.

The main types of cold chain logistics include refrigerated warehouses and refrigerated transportation. Refrigerated warehouses are large storage facilities equipped with cooling systems that maintain specific low temperatures to store perishable goods such as food and medicines. The various processes involved include pre-cooling facilities, cold storage, refrigerated carriers, packaging, and information management systems, utilizing technologies such as dry ice, gel packs, eutectic plates, liquid nitrogen, and quilts. The temperature types typically used are frozen and chilled. These cold chain logistics systems are applied across various industries, including fruits and vegetables, fish, meat, and seafood, dairy and frozen desserts, bakery and confectionery, processed food, pharmaceuticals, and other sectors.

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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