Food Cold Chain Market Size to Reach USD 134.4 Billion by 2031 | Key Growth Trends and Forecast

Food Cold Chain Market Size and Growth Outlook

According to a research report by Mordor Intelligence, the global food cold chain market size is projected to grow from USD 78.55 billion in 2026 to USD 134.4 billion by 2031, registering a strong CAGR of 11.34% during the forecast period.

This accelerated food cold chain market growth is supported by:

• Rising consumption of frozen and perishable food products
• Expansion of the organized retail and food service sectors
• Increasing cross-border trade of temperature-sensitive goods
• Strict regulatory requirements for food safety and traceability

The Food Cold Chain Industry covers cold storage infrastructure, refrigerated transport systems, temperature monitoring components, and advanced technologies such as RFID and IoT-enabled tracking systems that maintain product integrity from farm to fork.

Key Trends Shaping the Food Cold Chain Market

Rising Demand for Frozen and Perishable Foods

The surge in frozen meals, dairy products, meat, seafood, and fresh produce consumption has significantly increased demand for:

• Modern cold storage facilities
• Reefer trucks and containers
• Precision temperature monitoring systems

Pandemic-era behavioral shifts toward stockpiling and convenience foods have created sustained structural demand for reliable cold chain infrastructure.

Growth in International Food Trade

Cross-border trade of perishable food products is expanding rapidly. Importing countries increasingly mandate:

• End-to-end temperature tracking
• Real-time monitoring
• Digital traceability systems

As a result, companies are investing in:

• IoT sensors
• Blockchain-enabled supply chain systems
• Advanced refrigerated shipping containers

Maintaining temperature integrity during long-haul sea and air shipments is now central to the food cold chain market forecast.

Increasing Preference for Fresh and Ready-to-Eat Foods

Urban lifestyles and time constraints are driving strong demand for ready-to-eat meals and fresh produce. Cold chain operators are responding with:

• Multi-temperature storage zones
• Modified atmosphere packaging
• Dual-ovenable packaging
• Faster last-mile refrigerated delivery

These innovations ensure freshness, safety, and shelf-life stability across complex distribution networks.

Explore region-specific insights, including Japan: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/ja/industry-reports/food-cold-chain-market?utm_source=industrytoday 

Food Cold Chain Market Segmentation

By Type

• Cold-chain Storage
• Cold-chain Transport
• Monitoring Components

Cold-chain storage remains foundational, while monitoring components are gaining traction due to compliance requirements.

By Temperature Range

• Chilled (0–4 °C)
• Frozen (-18 °C)
• Deep-Frozen / Ultra-low (< -40 °C)

Frozen and deep-frozen segments are expanding rapidly due to rising processed and export-oriented food consumption.

By Transport Mode

• Road – Reefer Trucks and Trailers
• Sea – Reefer Containers
• Rail – Refrigerated Railcars
• Air Cargo

Road transport dominates last-mile delivery, while sea freight is critical for international trade.

By Application

• Fruits and Vegetables
• Meat and Seafood
• Dairy and Frozen Dessert
• Bakery and Confectionery
• Ready-to-Eat Meals
• Other Applications

Meat, seafood, and dairy segments demand the highest temperature control precision.

By Technology

• RFID and Real-time Monitoring
• IoT-enabled Telematics
• Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS)

Technology adoption is transforming operational efficiency and reducing food spoilage rates.

By Geography

North America – Strong infrastructure and strict compliance standards

Europe – Focus on sustainability and traceability

Asia-Pacific – Fastest-growing region driven by urbanization and export expansion

South America – Increasing agricultural exports

Middle East & Africa – Expanding cold chain capacity to reduce food waste

Explore more Food & Beverage research reports: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/market-analysis/food-beverage?utm_source=industrytoday

Competitive Landscape

The food cold chain market is moderately consolidated, with major players focusing on infrastructure expansion, automation, and digital monitoring solutions.

Dairy Products Market Key Companies include:

• Lineage, Inc. – Global leader in cold storage and integrated logistics
• Americold Logistics, Inc. – Operational efficiency and fixed-contract growth strategy
• Nichirei Corporation – Strong presence in refrigerated transport and food processing logistics
• DSV A/S – Integrated cold chain logistics with advanced tracking
• Conestoga Cold Storage Limited – Technology-driven storage services

Competitive strategies include:

• Automation of warehouse operations
• Integration of IoT and AI-based monitoring
• Expansion of multi-temperature facilities
• Strengthening last-mile refrigerated delivery networks

Explore detailed company profiles: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/food-cold-chain-market/companies?utm_source=industrytoday

Conclusion

The food cold chain market forecast indicates strong double-digit growth through 2031, supported by rising consumer expectations for food safety, freshness, and convenience.

With increasing regulatory scrutiny, expanding global food trade, and growing demand for frozen and ready-to-eat products, cold chain infrastructure is becoming a critical pillar of global food logistics.

Operators that prioritize:

• Strict temperature compliance
• Technology-enabled traceability
• Efficient last-mile refrigerated delivery
• Automated storage systems

will be best positioned to strengthen their food cold chain market share and capitalize on long-term structural growth opportunities.

Industry Related Reports: 

Brisket Market - The brisket market was valued at USD 29.32 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow from USD 30.67 billion in 2026 to USD 38.42 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 4.59%. Rising demand for ready-to-cook meat products and increasing popularity of smoked and gourmet meat dishes are driving this growth. 

Chilled Processed Food Market - The chilled processed food market is estimated at USD 0.9 trillion in 2026, up from USD 0.85 trillion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 1.21 trillion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 6.10%. Growth is fueled by consumer preference for convenient, fresh, and healthy food options along with expansion of cold-chain infrastructure. 

Freeze-Dried Food Market - The freeze-dried food market, valued at USD 36.45 billion in 2025, is projected to increase from USD 39.38 billion in 2026 to USD 57.94 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 8.03%. Increasing adoption of long-shelf-life foods and rising demand from the ready-to-eat and health-conscious consumer segments are key growth drivers.

About Mordor Intelligence: 

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