PUBLISHER: QYResearch | PRODUCT CODE: 1874432
PUBLISHER: QYResearch | PRODUCT CODE: 1874432
The global market for Cold Chain Equipment was estimated to be worth US$ 19985 million in 2024 and is forecast to a readjusted size of US$ 28448 million by 2031 with a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period 2025-2031.
An unbroken cold chain is an uninterrupted series of refrigerated production, storage and distribution activities, along with associated equipment and logistics, which maintain a desired low-temperature range. Such products, during transport and when in transient storage, are sometimes called cool cargo. The report covers forecast and analysis for the cold chain equipment market on a global and regional level. The study provides historic data of 2014 along with a forecast from 2015 to 2020 based on revenue (USD million). The study includes drivers and restraints for the cold chain equipment market along with the impact they have on the demand over the forecast period. Additionally, the report includes the study of opportunities available in the cold chain equipment market on a global level.
Major global manufacturers of cold chain equipment include Carrier, Epta SpA, CIMC, Hoshizaki International, Dover Corporation, AHT Cooling Systems, among others. Leading companies are renowned in the industry for their outstanding product performance and reliable service. The top five manufacturers collectively hold about 35% of the market share. Chinese domestic manufacturers, such as CIMC and Zhejiang Xingxing,etc., benefit from cost advantages and have secured a strong position in the domestic cold chain equipment market.
The market for cold chain equipment is broadly categorized into two product types: Cold Chain Storage Equipment and Cold Chain Transportation Equipment. Among these, Cold Chain Storage Equipment dominates the market landscape, holding an estimated 73% of the global market share. This is largely attributed to its critical role in distribution centers, warehouses, pharmaceutical depots, and intermediate storage nodes, where temperature precision and extended preservation time are essential. The dominance of storage solutions reflects the growing emphasis on inventory stability, long-term freshness, and centralized cold inventory control in modern logistics networks.
In terms of applications, cold chain equipment serves a diverse range of industries, most notably Food and Beverage, Medical and Pharmaceutical, and several other emerging areas. The Food and Beverage sector is the most prominent end-user, accounting for approximately 61% of the total market revenue. This trend is driven by consumers' increasing demand for fresh produce, dairy items, seafood, and ready-to-eat meals. As the preference for quality, safety, and nutritional integrity rises, so does the reliance on robust cold chain infrastructure. Retail chains, meal delivery services, and online grocery platforms are scaling up their investment in cold storage and transportation, further reinforcing demand.
The Medical and Pharmaceutical sector represents another high-potential application area, given the strict regulatory requirements for transporting temperature-sensitive drugs, vaccines, and biologics. The need for compliance with good storage practices (GSP), good distribution practices (GDP), and other international standards has propelled demand for highly specialized, intelligent cold chain equipment capable of offering precise temperature tracking, validation, and alarm systems.
Geographically, the Asia-Pacific region has emerged as the largest market for cold chain equipment. This rapid growth is drived by increasing urbanization, the expansion of organized retail, and supportive government initiatives in countries like China, India, Japan, and South Korea. Food security policies, public immunization programs, and rising disposable incomes have all contributed to a surge in demand for cold logistics. While North America and Europe represent mature markets with established infrastructure and high technical standards, their growth rates have plateaued. Meanwhile, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East are witnessing gradual growth but face significant infrastructural and regulatory challenges.
Multiple factors are fueling the expansion of the cold chain equipment market. Chief among them is the growing consumer preference for fresh and high-quality food products, coupled with increased health awareness. The proliferation of e-commerce, particularly in fresh food and pharmaceuticals, has led to a heightened need for efficient and scalable cold chain networks. Furthermore, technological advancements in IoT, cloud computing, and automation have enhanced the real-time performance, energy efficiency, and traceability of cold chain equipment. These developments not only increase operational reliability but also reduce product loss and energy consumption.
Nevertheless, the industry does face some critical barriers. High capital expenditure remains a deterrent, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. The installation and maintenance of cold chain systems require substantial investment in equipment, skilled personnel, and ongoing energy costs. In emerging markets, the lack of reliable power supply, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to advanced refrigeration technologies pose significant constraints. In addition, the absence of standardized global norms across countries creates regulatory bottlenecks, complicating international trade and equipment deployment.
Looking ahead, the cold chain equipment industry is expected to embrace two core development paths. The first is intelligent digitization. By integrating AI algorithms, real-time sensors, GPS tracking, and predictive maintenance features, cold chain systems can optimize resource utilization and provide end-to-end visibility into product integrity. The second is ecological sustainability. Responding to global climate goals and environmental regulations, manufacturers are increasingly focusing on energy-efficient refrigerants, recyclable insulation materials, and low-emission cooling units to reduce the carbon footprint of cold chain operations.
In conclusion, Cold Chain Equipment is indispensable to modern logistics and public health systems. It ensures that sensitive commodities maintain their quality from production to consumption. With the convergence of technological innovation, rising health consciousness, and expanding international trade, the global cold chain equipment market is poised for continued expansion. Particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, ongoing investments and policy support are laying the foundation for a robust, resilient, and intelligent cold chain future.
This report aims to provide a comprehensive presentation of the global market for Cold Chain Equipment, focusing on the total sales revenue, key companies market share and ranking, together with an analysis of Cold Chain Equipment by region & country, by Type, and by Application.
The Cold Chain Equipment market size, estimations, and forecasts are provided in terms of sales revenue ($ millions), considering 2024 as the base year, with history and forecast data for the period from 2020 to 2031. With both quantitative and qualitative analysis, to help readers develop business/growth strategies, assess the market competitive situation, analyze their position in the current marketplace, and make informed business decisions regarding Cold Chain Equipment.
Market Segmentation
By Company
Segment by Type
Segment by Application
By Region
Chapter Outline
Chapter 1: Introduces the report scope of the report, global total market size. This chapter also provides the market dynamics, latest developments of the market, the driving factors and restrictive factors of the market, the challenges and risks faced by manufacturers in the industry, and the analysis of relevant policies in the industry.
Chapter 2: Detailed analysis of Cold Chain Equipment company competitive landscape, revenue market share, latest development plan, merger, and acquisition information, etc.
Chapter 3: Provides the analysis of various market segments by Type, covering the market size and development potential of each market segment, to help readers find the blue ocean market in different market segments.
Chapter 4: Provides the analysis of various market segments by Application, covering the market size and development potential of each market segment, to help readers find the blue ocean market in different downstream markets.
Chapter 5: Revenue of Cold Chain Equipment in regional level. It provides a quantitative analysis of the market size and development potential of each region and introduces the market development, future development prospects, market space, and market size of each country in the world.
Chapter 6: Revenue of Cold Chain Equipment in country level. It provides sigmate data by Type, and by Application for each country/region.
Chapter 7: Provides profiles of key players, introducing the basic situation of the main companies in the market in detail, including product revenue, gross margin, product introduction, recent development, etc.
Chapter 8: Analysis of industrial chain, including the upstream and downstream of the industry.
Chapter 9: Conclusion.