Cold Chain Market to Hit $455 Billion by 2031 as Asia Pacific Holds 66.2% Share
Updated
Updated · PR Newswire · May 29
Cold Chain Market to Hit $455 Billion by 2031 as Asia Pacific Holds 66.2% Share
1 articles · Updated · PR Newswire · May 29
Summary
$455.0 billion is the projected size of the global cold chain market in 2031, up from $276.5 billion in 2026, implying a 10.5% annual growth rate.
Rising demand for temperature-sensitive drugs, vaccines and perishable foods is driving investment in refrigeration, tracking and monitoring systems, alongside growth in online grocery and cross-border trade.
Asia Pacific accounted for 66.2% of market revenue in 2025, while Europe remained a significant market supported by strict food and pharmaceutical transport rules and continued cold-storage investment.
Refrigerated transport was valued at about $105.0 billion in 2025 and is set to remain the largest type segment, with refrigerated light commercial vehicles forecast to grow fastest at an 11.5% CAGR.
Food and beverages are expected to keep a large application share, while warehousing and infrastructure spending is expanding as companies add IoT monitoring, automated refrigeration and energy-efficient storage.
Will costly AI and robotics create an unbreakable monopoly for the largest cold chain players?
Can the cold chain's explosive growth be reconciled with its massive energy consumption and new climate regulations?
Is aging infrastructure becoming the weakest link in our global food and medicine supply?
Asia-Pacific Cold Chain Market to Surpass $224 Billion by 2031: Digital Transformation, Sustainability, and Workforce Drive Regional Leadership
Overview
The Asia-Pacific region is quickly becoming a global leader in cold chain logistics, fueled by strong economic growth, rising populations, and changing consumer needs. China dominates the market, but India is growing even faster, driven by demand for ready-to-cook meals and e-commerce. Refrigerated storage leads the sector, while air transportation and frozen applications are expanding rapidly, especially for pharmaceuticals and clinical trials. Digital transformation and sustainable practices, like using energy-efficient designs and real-time monitoring, are making cold chains more reliable and eco-friendly. This growth is boosting food security, public health, and economic development across the region.