PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1784236
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1784236
Cold storage pertains to facilities or structures specifically designed to store perishable items at low temperatures for preservation. These spaces are equipped with features that regulate and maintain optimal conditions tailored to the stored products.
The primary types of cold storage facilities include private, semi-private, and public categories. Private and semi-private cold storage are owned or operated by the companies responsible for the stored products. Cold storage constructions vary, including bulk storage, production stores, and ports, accommodating different temperature requirements such as frozen and chilled. Cold storage is used extensively for storing various perishable items such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, fish, meat, seafood, processed foods, pharmaceuticals, and other commodities, ensuring their freshness and quality.
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 storage market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides cold storage market statistics, including the cold storage industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a cold storage market share, detailed cold storage market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the cold storage industry. This cold storage 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.
The cold storage market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $35.72 billion in 2024 to $38.65 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to the growing demand for dairy products to drive the demand for cold storage, increase in demand from processed food and healthcare industry, increase in technology development, focus on quality and product sensitivity, and increase in food export.
The cold storage market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $53.69 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to an increasing and aging population, increasing use of automation, robust government support, increasing investments, rapid growth in e-commerce, and increasing consumption of packaged food. Major trends in the forecast period include a focus on quality and product sensitivity, companies taking sustainability initiatives, smart warehousing, the use of IoT to facilitate cold storage, and strategic mergers and acquisitions.
The forecast of 8.6% growth over the next five years remains unchanged from the previous projection for this market. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. Rising tariffs on imported refrigeration components and insulation materials could hamper cold storage infrastructure upgrades, increasing operational costs and limiting capacity expansion, especially for temperature-sensitive goods. 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 rising demand for perishable products is anticipated to drive the growth of the cold storage market in the coming years. Perishable products are those that can quickly deteriorate and have a limited shelf life, including items like fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and pharmaceuticals. The increasing trade of perishables compels the cold storage market to enhance product quality to meet customer needs. For instance, in August 2023, a report from the United States Department of Agriculture, a U.S. federal agency, projected that contracted tomato production in California would reach 12.9 million tons in 2023, with an average yield of 50.8 tons per acre. This marks a 23% increase from the previous year's 10.5 million tons and is 2% higher than the estimate made in May. The projected harvested area is 254,000 acres, which represents a 13% rise from 2022. Consequently, the growing trade of perishables will increase the demand for cold storage.
The increasing demand for frozen food is expected to significantly boost the cold storage market. Frozen food refers to food products that have undergone freezing, a preservation method that lowers the temperature of the food below its freezing point, typically around -18 degrees Celsius (0 degrees Fahrenheit). This rising demand for frozen food is driven by factors such as busy lifestyles, the convenience of ready-to-eat meals, extended shelf life, and a growing awareness of the nutritional benefits of frozen produce. Cold storage plays a crucial role in preserving frozen food, ensuring it retains its quality, safety, and nutritional value by maintaining consistently low temperatures throughout the supply chain. For example, in February 2023, the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI), a U.S.-based trade association, reported that frozen food sales in the United States rose by a notable 8.6% in 2022, totaling $72.2 billion. Additionally, sales of frozen seafood saw a significant increase of 36.9%, reaching $7.1 billion in 2022. Therefore, the increasing demand for frozen food will continue to propel the cold storage market.
Major companies in the cold storage market are leveraging new automation technologies, such as smart last-mile delivery platforms, to maintain their competitive edge. A smart last-mile delivery platform in cold storage enhances the distribution of temperature-sensitive goods by integrating advanced inventory management systems and real-time tracking to ensure efficient and reliable deliveries. For example, in September 2022, Celcius Logistics, an India-based cold-chain marketplace startup, introduced a smart last-mile delivery platform designed to tackle significant challenges in the country's cold supply chains. This platform features a unique Inventory Management System (IMS) and is backed by partnerships with vehicle owners and automotive manufacturers, establishing a robust network of refrigerated vehicles. Initially launched in six metropolitan areas, Celcius aims to expand into tier-2 cities within six months.
Leading companies in the cold storage market are adopting a strategic partnership model to enhance technology integration and broaden their market reach. A strategic partnership generally refers to a collaborative relationship between two or more organizations that combines their resources, expertise, and efforts to achieve shared goals. For instance, in April 2024, BOOTES, an India-based Net-Zero company, teamed up with Cargopeople Logistics and Shipping Pvt. Ltd., a freight forwarding company in India, to launch a net-zero cold storage initiative aimed at addressing the pressing issue of food waste in the country. This collaboration is focused on minimizing food wastage in India through sustainable cold storage solutions while simultaneously addressing the increasing energy demands with renewable energy sources, thereby reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The ultimate goal is to ensure that no child in India goes hungry.
In August 2022, Lineage Logistics LLC, a US-based warehousing and logistics management company, acquired Cold Storage Nelson Limited (CSN) for an undisclosed sum. This strategic acquisition aimed to bolster Lineage's footprint in the Asia-Pacific region, utilizing New Zealand's status as a major exporter of primary products. Customers in New Zealand stand to benefit from CSN's facilities, coupled with Lineage's technological advancements and innovation, addressing the increasing supply chain demands locally and globally. Cold Storage Nelson Limited is a cold storage business based in New Zealand.
Major companies operating in the cold storage market include Americold Logistics LLC, Burris Logistics, United States Cold Storage, Toyo Suisan Kaisha, Ltd,VersaCold Logistics Services, Lineage Logistics Holdings, Tippmann Group, Snowman Logistics Pvt Ltd, Conestoga Cold Storage, Coldman Logistics, Cold Box India LLP, Rinac India Limited, Singhania Logistics & Distribution Pvt. Ltd, Cold Storage Japan Ltd, Sinotrans Shanghai Cold storage Company, Kerry Logistics Network Limited, Global Cold storage Solutions, China Resources Logistics Limited, Beijing Er Shang Group, Jinjiang International Holdings Co., Ltd, Nichirei Logistics Group Inc, HNA, Valley Food Storage, ACS&T Logistics, VIMA Foods, Logifrio, Cabezuelo Foods, Ebro Foods, CRS IE, Maersk, Ruzave, FREJA Transport & Logistics, Priority Freight, Dropex, Internel Sp. z o.o, NATANEX, PUH Jamax, ARRA GROUP SP. Z O.O. SP. K, NOWAKOWSKI TRANSPORT Sp. z o.o, Fructus Transport, Artrans Transport, NewCold, Frialsa, Qualianz, ARCOSA, Bradner Cold Storage, Congebec, Confederation Freezers, Interstate Warehousing, Inc, Constellation Cold Logistics, Localfrio S/A, Brado Logistica S/A, ComFrio, Martini Meat S/A, Friozem Armazens Frigorificos Ltda, Comfrio SoluCoes LogIsticas, Agility, Al Futtaim, RSA Cold Chain, Sharjah cold stores, Tameem logistics, APG Logistics, GEFCO South Africa, Value Logistics, Transnova Africa, KAP Industrial Holdings Limited, Tsiko Africa Group, Bakers SA Limited, ColdHubs
North America was the largest region in the cold storage market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the cold storage market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the cold storage market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada.
The cold storage market consists of sales of compressor, condenser, evaporator and throttle valve, and other auxiliary parts. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
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.
Cold Storage Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on cold storage market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for cold storage ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The cold storage market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.