Perishable Logistics Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Types (Air TransportSea FreightLand Transport), By Applications Covered (Fruits & VegetablesFish & SeafoodOthers), Regional Insights and Forecast to 2033

Perishable Logistics Market Size

The Perishable Logistics Market size was valued at USD 18.24 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 18.84 Billion in 2025, further growing to USD 24.68 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.3% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2033. This growth is driven by the increasing demand for efficient and reliable transportation and storage solutions for perishable goods, advancements in cold chain technology, and the rising need for fresh food and pharmaceuticals in global supply chains.

The US Perishable Logistics Market is experiencing steady growth, driven by the increasing demand for efficient transportation and storage solutions for perishable goods, particularly in the food and pharmaceutical sectors. The market benefits from advancements in cold chain technologies, which enhance the efficiency and reliability of handling temperature-sensitive products. Additionally, the growing need for fresh produce, pharmaceuticals, and other perishable items, along with improvements in supply chain management, is contributing to the expansion of the perishable logistics market across the United States.

Key Findings

• Market Size: Valued at 18.84B in 2025, expected to reach 24.68B by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 3.3%.
• Growth Drivers: Cold storage expansion rose by 48%, pharmaceutical logistics demand increased 53%, and temperature-controlled freight volume jumped by 45% globally.
• Trends: IoT adoption in cold chains grew by 47%, air freight for perishables increased 28%, and smart container usage expanded by 51%.
• Key Players: DHL, Kuehne+Nagel, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, CH Robinson, Bolloré Logistics
• Regional Insights: Asia-Pacific cold storage grew 43%, North America refrigerated trucking rose 46%, and Europe’s seafood imports increased 36%.
• Challenges: Infrastructure gaps caused 42% food waste, energy costs rose 38%, and skilled technician shortages increased labor costs by 29%.
• Industry Impact: Cold chain tracking tech improved by 44%, digital logistics tools adopted by 49%, and compliance costs rose by 31% industry-wide.
• Recent Developments: Cold fleet upgrades grew 33%, real-time tracking systems expanded 42%, and electric reefer truck deployments surged by 28% in 2025.

The perishable logistics market is a vital segment within global supply chain systems, focusing on the time-sensitive transport of temperature-controlled goods like fresh food, pharmaceuticals, dairy, meat, seafood, and floral products. This market plays a pivotal role in supporting international trade across agriculture, food and beverage, and healthcare sectors. It is characterized by advanced cold chain infrastructure, real-time tracking technologies, and multi-modal transportation networks that ensure optimal quality retention. Growing demand for refrigerated transport in emerging economies and urban centers continues to drive structural improvements in global cold chain logistics, especially for highly perishable and compliance-critical products.

Perishable Logistics Market Trends

The perishable logistics market is experiencing rapid transformation due to the growing demand for fresh produce, pharmaceuticals, and frozen foods, along with the expansion of e-commerce grocery platforms. The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) in cold chain management has led to a 47% rise in the adoption of smart temperature monitoring devices in 2024. The global movement of refrigerated cargo surged by over 28% compared to the previous five years, with frozen food logistics alone increasing by 33% during the same period. Temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical logistics have also grown significantly, with nearly 40% of global vaccine shipments now reliant on advanced cold chain logistics.

Furthermore, the surge in online grocery orders has triggered a 61% increase in last-mile cold chain investments since 2023. Within Asia-Pacific, 52% of logistic companies have implemented advanced refrigeration technologies, driven by consumer demand for imported perishables. Europe accounted for a 36% share of temperature-sensitive seafood imports, relying heavily on refrigerated container fleets. In North America, 43% of retailers invested in temperature-monitoring software to improve visibility and reduce spoilage costs. Cold storage facility capacity has also expanded by 31% in key export hubs. The demand for faster and more efficient transportation has fueled a 45% rise in air freight volumes for perishable items. These trends signal a dynamic shift towards digitized, sustainable, and high-performance perishable logistics systems.

Perishable Logistics Market Dynamics

The perishable logistics market is shaped by a mix of technological advancements, stringent food and pharmaceutical safety regulations, rising global trade, and evolving consumer preferences. The need for highly efficient and reliable temperature-controlled logistics solutions has grown due to increased demand for perishable goods. Cold chain players are increasingly investing in automated warehouses and IoT-based systems. Simultaneously, geopolitical risks, energy cost volatility, and capacity limitations are influencing global perishable logistics planning. These dynamics collectively drive innovation while posing operational and strategic challenges across global supply networks.

OPPORTUNITY

Growth in personalised medicines

Personalised and precision medicines are creating significant opportunities in the perishable logistics industry. Around 46% of newly approved therapies require cold chain compliance. With nearly 57% of clinical trials using biological samples needing controlled environments, logistics providers are expanding their service capabilities. In North America, 49% of medical logistics firms now offer cryogenic storage and last-mile delivery services tailored for cell and gene therapies. The rise in biotech R&D has also pushed 39% of logistics companies to develop ultra-low temperature transport solutions for personalised medicines.

DRIVERS

Rising demand for pharmaceuticals

The increasing global reliance on biologics, vaccines, and temperature-sensitive medications has driven strong growth in pharmaceutical logistics. In 2024, over 48% of temperature-controlled shipments were attributed to pharmaceutical products. Biopharmaceuticals accounted for 41% of cold chain air freight. Moreover, 53% of healthcare logistics providers expanded their cold storage facilities to meet regulatory requirements for temperature-sensitive drugs. The pandemic accelerated investments in mRNA vaccine logistics, with nearly 35% of pharma companies adopting real-time temperature monitoring systems.

Restraints

"Limited cold chain infrastructure in developing countries"

A major constraint to the growth of the perishable logistics market is the inadequate cold storage and transportation infrastructure in developing regions. Approximately 42% of food wastage in low-income countries is due to insufficient cold chain systems. Sub-Saharan Africa has a refrigeration capacity deficit of over 60%, resulting in high post-harvest losses. In Southeast Asia, only 34% of rural perishable products have access to refrigerated transport. Latin America lags with only 28% penetration of temperature-controlled logistics for seafood exports. These infrastructural gaps hinder efficient perishable logistics services.

Challenge

"Rising costs and expenditures related to usage of pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment"

Operational costs in the perishable logistics market have risen sharply due to escalating energy prices, advanced equipment requirements, and compliance mandates. Between 2022 and 2024, electricity costs for maintaining refrigerated warehouses increased by 38%, impacting profitability. Compliance with GDP and WHO standards added nearly 31% to cold chain logistics budgets for pharma shipments. Maintenance of advanced refrigeration units now contributes to 27% of total logistics costs. Labor shortages in skilled refrigeration technicians have pushed wages up by 29%, further straining operational margins. Managing these rising costs remains a critical challenge.

Segmentation Analysis

The perishable logistics market is segmented by type and application to better understand the operational structures driving its growth. By type, the market is categorized into air transport, sea freight, and land transport. Each plays a vital role in fulfilling the demand for timely and temperature-sensitive delivery. Air transport is critical for high-value, short-shelf-life products such as pharmaceuticals and seafood. Sea freight is the most widely used mode for bulk shipments of frozen meat and dairy. Land transport forms the backbone for domestic and cross-border logistics, especially for fresh fruits and vegetables. By application, the market is segmented into fruits & vegetables, fish & seafood, and others, including dairy, meat, floral, and pharmaceuticals. These segments have diverse handling needs, shelf lives, and temperature requirements. Fruits and vegetables are the largest share contributors due to their constant demand and perishability. Fish and seafood follow closely, requiring ultra-low temperature handling, while the "others" category is driven by increasing pharmaceutical logistics demand.

By Type

• Air Transport: Air transport handles about 27% of global perishable logistics volume, especially for pharmaceutical and seafood shipments. Around 51% of pharma cold chain airfreight relies on express air services. Temperature-controlled air cargo saw a 32% increase in capacity utilization from 2023 to 2024. Airlines are now allocating over 35% of their cold chain cargo infrastructure to time-critical medical shipments.
• Sea Freight: Sea freight accounts for nearly 48% of total perishable logistics volume worldwide. Refrigerated container trade rose by 34% over the past two years, driven by increased export of frozen meat, dairy, and vegetables. In Latin America, 62% of all exported perishables were shipped via sea. Europe’s import of frozen seafood via sea freight grew by 29% in 2024 alone.
• Land Transport: Land transport constitutes around 25% of the perishable logistics market. In North America, 46% of fruits and vegetables are distributed via refrigerated trucks. Intra-regional transport in Asia saw a 39% increase in refrigerated truck deployment. Real-time monitoring systems were adopted in 43% of long-haul trucks used in perishable logistics across developed markets.

By Application

• Fruits & Vegetables: Fruits and vegetables contribute to approximately 42% of the total perishable logistics volume. In Asia-Pacific, demand for imported fresh produce grew by 36% in 2024. Nearly 49% of all perishables transported via land in North America are fruits and vegetables. Europe has integrated temperature sensors in 58% of fruit-carrying containers.
• Fish & Seafood: Fish and seafood account for around 29% of perishable logistics. Cold chain seafood exports from Asia increased by 31% in 2024. North America’s seafood supply chain depends on refrigerated air and sea transport, with 44% of seafood shipments using temperature-controlled containers. Europe’s reliance on frozen seafood imports increased by 27% in the past year.
• Others: The "others" segment, including pharmaceuticals, dairy, meat, and floral products, represents nearly 29% of the market. Around 52% of pharmaceutical cold chain shipments in North America fall into this category. In Europe, dairy accounts for 34% of refrigerated transport usage, while Middle Eastern regions recorded a 39% increase in floral product logistics in 2024.

Regional Outlook

The global perishable logistics market showcases distinct regional trends shaped by infrastructure development, import-export volumes, food safety standards, and consumer behavior. North America leads with strong infrastructure, high-tech cold chain systems, and consistent investments in pharmaceutical logistics. Europe follows with advanced regulations and a mature seafood and dairy cold chain market. Asia-Pacific is rapidly expanding, supported by rising demand for fresh produce, seafood, and international trade. Cold storage facility expansion has grown by over 43% in China and 38% in India. The Middle East & Africa is witnessing steady growth with increased imports of fresh produce and medical supplies. Refrigerated warehouse development rose by 28% in UAE and 31% in South Africa. The region also benefits from strategic investments in maritime logistics to handle temperature-sensitive cargo efficiently.

North America

North America commands a significant share in the perishable logistics market due to advanced infrastructure and strong regulatory compliance. Around 61% of food retailers in the U.S. utilize GPS-tracked refrigerated trucks. Cold storage facility expansion increased by 37% in 2024. The pharmaceutical cold chain in the U.S. represents 48% of all airfreight pharma shipments. Canada’s fresh produce import dependency reached 53%, reinforcing cross-border cold chain logistics. The use of blockchain for temperature verification rose by 41% in North American pharmaceutical logistics. E-commerce-driven demand for refrigerated last-mile delivery increased by 44% across metropolitan areas.

Europe

Europe holds a robust position in perishable logistics, supported by strict EU food safety regulations and a mature market for seafood and dairy logistics. Nearly 36% of frozen seafood imports are managed via advanced sea freight systems. Germany saw a 29% increase in pharmaceutical cold storage facilities. The UK reported a 31% rise in refrigerated truck usage for fresh fruit delivery in 2024. Real-time monitoring in refrigerated containers rose to 58% across major European ports. France’s dairy logistics contributed 42% of all inland refrigerated transport volume. European countries are increasingly adopting green logistics, with 34% integrating electric refrigerated trucks in 2024.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region in perishable logistics, driven by rising demand for fresh produce, seafood, and pharmaceutical goods. China expanded its refrigerated warehouse footprint by 43% in 2024. India’s cold chain capacity increased by 38%, fueled by government-backed infrastructure schemes. Japan's seafood cold chain transport rose by 31%. Cross-border fresh produce trade between Southeast Asia nations jumped by 46%. Online grocery platforms contributed to a 49% growth in demand for last-mile cold chain services. Adoption of smart temperature monitoring devices increased by 44% across urban cold logistics networks.

Middle East & Africa

Middle East & Africa is emerging as a key region in the global perishable logistics market. UAE’s investment in cold chain maritime hubs rose by 32% in 2024. South Africa expanded its refrigerated transport fleet by 28%. The import of pharmaceutical products requiring cold storage grew by 36% across the region. Saudi Arabia’s demand for fresh fruit logistics increased by 41%. Kenya and Egypt collectively accounted for 39% of floral exports in the region, relying heavily on refrigerated air freight. Cold storage capacity in urban centers like Dubai and Johannesburg grew by 30%, supporting the evolving logistics demand for perishables.

LIST OF KEY Perishable Logistics Market COMPANIES PROFILED

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Significant investments in infrastructure, automation, and digital monitoring systems are driving rapid modernization across the perishable logistics market. Between 2023 and 2025, approximately 48% of logistics companies expanded their cold chain infrastructure to cater to rising demand from the pharmaceutical and fresh produce sectors. Investment in refrigerated trucking systems rose by 42% in North America, while Asia-Pacific witnessed a 36% increase in investment for temperature-sensitive warehousing. Furthermore, 45% of logistics companies globally allocated capital for cloud-based logistics tracking and IoT-enabled temperature monitoring.

In Europe, 33% of third-party logistics providers have invested in biosecure storage solutions for vaccines and biologics. Green logistics and sustainability initiatives attracted 28% of the total investments in 2024, focusing on solar-powered cold storage and electric refrigerated fleets. The Middle East witnessed a 39% surge in investment for reefer container port terminals. Global players are increasingly targeting underserved regions, with 41% of new investment projects aimed at expanding last-mile delivery in rural and semi-urban areas. These strategic investments indicate robust market potential and long-term scalability in perishable logistics.

NEW PRODUCTS Development

New product innovations are revolutionizing the perishable logistics landscape with smarter, faster, and more reliable technologies. In 2024, nearly 51% of logistics companies introduced AI-powered cold chain route optimization platforms, reducing spoilage by 23%. Cold containers with integrated RFID and real-time alerts were deployed in 47% of international air freight shipments. In North America, over 44% of new reefer trucks now feature lithium battery-powered refrigeration systems to replace diesel units, aligning with green logistics goals.

Asia-Pacific saw the rollout of smart wearable devices for monitoring personnel temperature handling in 38% of pharma logistics companies. Europe focused on antimicrobial container surfaces, with 29% of new perishable freight containers embedded with hygiene-resistant coatings. Additionally, 36% of companies globally launched advanced mobile apps for monitoring humidity, shock, and CO2 exposure in sensitive cargo. These product developments are helping the industry maintain quality standards, reduce compliance risks, and respond dynamically to demand from pharmaceutical, seafood, and horticultural sectors.

Recent Developments

• DHL:  In 2025, DHL launched its largest temperature-controlled logistics hub in Germany, adding 25% more capacity to its European pharmaceutical cold chain operations. The facility integrates solar power and smart refrigeration systems to enhance sustainability.
• Kuehne+Nagel:  In 2025, Kuehne+Nagel partnered with a biotechnology firm to develop end-to-end logistics for personalized medicines, introducing cryogenic shipping solutions with 99.9% real-time visibility across the supply chain.
• Hellmann Worldwide Logistics:  In early 2025, Hellmann added 12% more cold storage capacity in South East Asia, focusing on seafood and dairy logistics, and also introduced AI-driven temperature analytics across its warehouse networks.
• Bolloré Logistics:  In 2025, Bolloré deployed 200 electric refrigerated trucks across France and Belgium, reducing carbon emissions by 33% in its perishable distribution network, supporting green logistics initiatives.
• DB Schenker:  In 2025, DB Schenker unveiled a blockchain-based temperature compliance tracking tool across its perishable air freight operations, improving data integrity by 42% and reducing spoilage-related insurance claims by 18%.

REPORT COVERAGE

The perishable logistics market report provides comprehensive coverage of market segmentation by type, application, and regional performance, with a focus on operational metrics, infrastructure investment, and technology adoption. The report highlights a 47% surge in cold chain technology integration from 2023 to 2025 and maps 39% growth in cold warehouse expansion across high-demand regions like Asia-Pacific and North America. By type, air transport's contribution has grown to 27%, with sea freight leading at 48% of global volume. The report includes in-depth profiling of 10 major players, among which DHL and Kuehne+Nagel dominate with a combined 31% market share.

Applications in fruits and vegetables accounted for 42% of the total logistics demand, while pharmaceuticals and seafood saw 29% and 29% shares respectively. Regionally, North America and Europe lead due to regulatory maturity and advanced infrastructure, while Asia-Pacific recorded a 46% increase in demand for last-mile perishable delivery. The report also outlines 5 recent developments, over 7 new product launches, and 10 investment highlights across cold chain logistics. The document delivers actionable insights for stakeholders looking to expand, innovate, or optimize within the perishable logistics industry.