According to the report by Expert Market Research (EMR), the India cold chain market reached a value of nearly INR 1918.86 billion in 2024. Aided by the rising demand for perishable food products, pharmaceuticals, and temperature-sensitive goods, the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.70% between 2025 and 2034 to reach a value of INR 6342.82 billion by 2034. The market’s expansion is being driven by rapid advancements in refrigeration technologies, government initiatives to strengthen logistics infrastructure, and the growing penetration of organized retail and e-commerce in India.

Cold chain systems—comprising temperature-controlled storage and transportation—play a critical role in maintaining the quality and shelf life of perishable goods such as dairy, fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, and pharmaceuticals. The increasing consumer demand for fresh and frozen products, coupled with India’s expanding export potential in agricultural and pharmaceutical sectors, is significantly accelerating cold chain market growth across the country.

India Cold Chain Market Size and Share

India’s cold chain industry has undergone significant transformation over the past decade, evolving from a fragmented and unorganized segment into a vital component of the country’s supply chain ecosystem. In 2024, the industry stood at INR 1918.86 billion, supported by the expansion of cold storage facilities and the modernization of temperature-controlled logistics. The market is expected to more than triple by 2034, highlighting strong investments and infrastructure development.

The cold storage segment accounts for the largest share of the India cold chain market, supported by high demand for bulk storage of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and seafood. Meanwhile, the cold transport segment—comprising refrigerated trucks, rail containers, and specialized vehicles—is witnessing rapid growth owing to increasing requirements for last-mile delivery, particularly in the food and pharmaceutical sectors.

Regionally, northern and western India dominate the market, driven by strong agricultural output, food processing industries, and proximity to export hubs. However, the southern and eastern regions are expected to emerge as high-growth markets during the forecast period, propelled by expanding urbanization, industrialization, and infrastructure development.

India Cold Chain Market Trends

Several key trends are shaping the growth trajectory of the India cold chain market:

• Rising Consumption of Processed and Frozen Foods: Changing consumer lifestyles, growing disposable incomes, and urbanization are driving demand for ready-to-eat, frozen, and packaged food products. This has led to greater reliance on cold storage and distribution facilities to ensure product safety and quality.

• Integration of IoT and Automation: The adoption of Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and automation is enhancing operational efficiency across cold chain logistics. IoT sensors are increasingly used for real-time temperature monitoring, predictive maintenance, and fleet management, ensuring higher reliability and reduced wastage.

• Expansion of the Pharmaceutical Cold Chain: The rising production and export of vaccines, biologics, and temperature-sensitive drugs are creating significant demand for advanced cold chain logistics in India. The pharmaceutical sector’s growing emphasis on maintaining Good Distribution Practices (GDP) is accelerating the deployment of specialized cold chain infrastructure.

• Sustainable Refrigeration Solutions: With environmental sustainability becoming a key priority, the market is witnessing a gradual shift towards energy-efficient refrigeration systems and the adoption of eco-friendly refrigerants. The use of solar-powered cold storage and natural refrigerants such as ammonia and CO₂ is gaining traction.

• Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Increasing collaboration between government bodies and private players is strengthening the cold chain ecosystem. Investments under government initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) and Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) are boosting capacity expansion.

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Drivers of Growth

The growth of the India cold chain market is supported by several key drivers:

• Rising Agricultural and Food Processing Output: India is one of the largest producers of fruits, vegetables, and dairy globally. The need to minimize post-harvest losses and enhance the export quality of perishables is driving demand for advanced cold storage and logistics infrastructure.

• Growth of E-commerce and Online Grocery Delivery: The proliferation of online food delivery and grocery platforms such as BigBasket, Blinkit, and Swiggy Instamart has heightened the need for reliable cold chain systems for fast and safe deliveries.

• Government Support and Policy Initiatives: Government efforts to modernize warehousing and logistics through infrastructure development and subsidies have been crucial in supporting market growth.

• Expanding Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Sector: The post-pandemic surge in demand for vaccine storage, temperature-controlled transport, and life sciences logistics continues to boost investment in cold chain systems.

• Technological Advancements in Refrigeration: Modern refrigeration and insulation technologies are reducing energy costs and improving efficiency, making cold chain operations more sustainable and affordable.

India Cold Chain Market Segmentation

The market can be divided based on services, temperature type, application and region.

Market Breakup by Services

• Cold Chain Storage
• Cold Chain Transportation
• Others

Market Breakup by Temperature Type

• Chilled
• Frozen

Market Breakup by Application

• Fruits and Vegetables
• Meat, Fish, and Seafood Products
• Dairy Products
• Processed Food Products
• Healthcare Products
• Others

Market Breakup by Region

• North India
• East and Central India
• West India
• South India

Competitive Landscape

Some of the major players explored in the report by Expert Market Research are as follows:

• CEVA Logistics SA
• Snowman Logistics Limited
• TCIEXPRESS LIMITED
• GK Cold Chain Solutions
• Coldrush Logistics Pvt. Ltd.
• ColdEX Logistics Pvt. Ltd.
• Gubba Cold Storage Pvt. Ltd.
• Future Enterprises Limited
• Container Corporation of India Limited (Fresh and Healthy Enterprises Ltd.)
• Coldman Logistics Pvt.Ltd.
• Others

Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges:
Despite robust growth, the India cold chain market faces several challenges, including:

• High Capital and Operating Costs: Establishing and maintaining cold storage facilities and refrigerated transport systems involve significant investments and energy costs.

• Infrastructure Gaps: Inadequate road connectivity, inconsistent power supply, and limited rural penetration hinder efficient cold chain operations.

• Skill Shortages: There remains a shortage of skilled professionals trained in handling temperature-sensitive logistics and cold storage management.

• Fragmentation of the Supply Chain: The presence of multiple intermediaries leads to inefficiencies and higher costs, affecting profitability.

Opportunities:
Conversely, opportunities abound in:

• Expansion in Tier-II and Tier-III Cities: Rising urbanization and consumption in smaller cities are creating demand for localized cold chain solutions.

• Export Growth: Increasing export potential for agricultural and pharmaceutical products offers strong opportunities for international-grade cold storage facilities.

• Digital Transformation: Adoption of AI, IoT, and predictive analytics will drive efficiency, transparency, and sustainability in operations.

• Green Cold Chain Solutions: Development of energy-efficient refrigeration technologies opens new avenues for environmentally conscious businesses.

India Cold Chain Market Forecast

Looking ahead, the India cold chain market is poised for sustained growth, driven by increasing demand for temperature-sensitive goods, modernization of logistics infrastructure, and technological integration. By 2034, the market is projected to reach INR 6342.82 billion, expanding at a CAGR of 12.70% over the forecast period.

Investments in energy-efficient refrigeration systems, expansion of warehousing capacity, and enhanced last-mile connectivity will remain key priorities. Moreover, government policy support and private sector innovation are expected to continue transforming the sector into a highly organized, technology-driven industry that plays a critical role in supporting India’s food security, healthcare distribution, and export competitiveness.

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