Refrigerated Transport Market is estimated to be valued at USD 139.86 Bn in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 230.53 Bn in 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4% from 2025 to 2032.
Refrigerated transportation also called as reefer freight. It is a method for shipping freight that requires temperature-controlled vehicles. The vehicle is used for refrigerated transportation that stores the products at the desired temperature during the transportation process. The refrigerated transport market demand is growing for efficient distribution of perishable goods such as dairy products, beverages, processed meat, poultry products, ice cream, fruits, and other edible products, which may perish in the normal environmental conditions is expected to be one of the major factors that is expected to fuel growth of the refrigerated transport market over the forecast period.
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In terms of technology, the air-blown evaporators segment is expected to contribute 48.0% share in the refrigerated transport market in 2025 due to its efficiency, uniform cooling, and compact design, which make them ideal for mobile cold chain environments. Air-blown evaporators circulate cold air evenly across the storage space, maintaining consistent temperatures throughout the vehicle. This is critical for perishable goods like dairy, meat, and pharmaceuticals, where uneven cooling can lead to spoilage. These systems enable rapid temperature drop after door openings during loading/unloading. Faster recovery times ensure minimal temperature fluctuation, essential for maintaining cold chain integrity. Air-blown evaporators are typically compact, allowing more space for cargo and reducing the overall weight of the system, which is valuable for fuel efficiency and load optimization in transport vehicles.
Additionally, Modern air-blown evaporators use smart defrost cycles and low-energy fans, making them energy-efficient, an important consideration as logistics companies aim to reduce operating costs and carbon footprints.
In July 2025, Carrier Transicold unveiled its latest Supra® High Efficiency multi‑temperature units, now fully compatible with air‑blown evaporators. By integrating air‑blown evaporators, these truck‑mounted units offer enhanced temperature control across multiple zones, improving efficiency and performance in refrigerated transport.
In terms of type, the refrigerated road transport segment is expected to contribute the largest share of the market in 2025, primarily driven by consumer preferences, food safety regulations, and supply chain expansion. The global rise in consumption of perishable items such as dairy, fresh produce, meat, seafood, and pharmaceuticals which necessitates temperature-controlled logistics. Consumers now prefer fresh and organic food over processed alternatives, especially in urban and health-conscious markets. Additionally, the boom in online grocery and meal kit deliveries has accelerated the need for last-mile refrigerated transport. Quick commerce models (e.g., 10-minute delivery services) require precise cold chain operations, particularly for dairy, frozen foods, and desserts. Regulatory bodies in the U.S., EU, and Asia-Pacific enforce strict temperature compliance standards to reduce food spoilage and contamination. Compliance with HACCP, FSMA, and other food handling guidelines fuels demand for real-time temperature-monitored transport.
In September 2024, Yellowing’s Delivery Services has partnered with Jubilant FoodWorks to unveil India’s first fully electric reefer (refrigerated) pickup truck, marking a significant milestone in sustainable cold-chain logistics. The vehicle ensures temperature-controlled delivery for perishable goods, aligning with Jubilant’s green logistics goals. Such partnerships are propelling the refrigerated transport market share.
In terms of temperature, the single temperature segment is projected to dominate the refrigerated transport market with highest share in 2025, due to its operational efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and suitability for bulk transportation of uniform goods. Single temperature is ideal when transporting goods that require the same temperature setting, such as dairy products, frozen meat, or beverages. Compared to multi-temperature systems, single-temp vehicles have lower capital and maintenance costs, making them attractive to logistics providers handling bulk shipments of similar products. Temperature monitoring and control are easier in a single zone, reducing the risk of temperature deviation and product spoilage. It also simplifies logistics planning and vehicle routing. Large grocery chains and cold storage facilities prefer single-temperature vehicles to move full truckloads from centralized distribution centers to stores.
For instance, in the U.S., Carrier Transicold introduced advanced diesel-powered single-temperature Transport Refrigeration Units (TRUs) like the Vector eCool, which combine efficient engine design with telematics and electric standby power systems. These units are optimized for transporting uniformly chilled or frozen goods—ideal for sectors like dairy, beverages, and frozen foods, where maintaining a consistent temperature across the entire trailer is essential.
In terms of application, the chilled food products segment is expected to contribute the greatest share in the market in 2025, owing to growing demand for fresh and healthy food. As Chilled products like milk, dairy, fresh fruits, vegetables, and beverages are highly perishable and require strict temperature control (typically between 0°C to 5°C) to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage during transit. Consumers globally are increasingly prioritizing fresh, minimally processed food. This shift, especially in urban and health-conscious populations, is driving the need for a reliable cold chain from farm to fork. Governments and regulatory bodies (like the FDA in the U.S. and EFSA in the EU) impose strict guidelines for the safe transport of perishable goods. Refrigerated transport ensures compliance and reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses.
In February 2024, Sumitomo Corporation acquired 100% ownership of Fujiwara Co., Ltd., a key player in refrigerated logistics. This move strengthens Sumitomo’s chilled food logistics capabilities amid rising demand for temperature-sensitive food transport in Japan. Fujiwara, known for its expertise in chilled and frozen food distribution, will support Sumitomo’s strategic push into cold chain logistics.
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Europe, holding an estimated share of 38% in 2025, dominates the refrigerated transport market, supported by a combination of strict regulatory standards, evolving consumer preferences, and sustainability initiatives. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) enforces stringent cold chain regulations, requiring consistent temperature control for transporting perishable goods such as dairy, seafood, fruits, and vegetables. Consumers across the region increasingly prefer fresh and chilled products, which has led to a surge in demand for temperature-sensitive logistics. Additionally, the European Union’s framework for the free movement of goods supports cross-border trade of perishables, necessitating reliable refrigerated transport between countries. Efforts to reduce food waste and promote sustainability have also driven investments in modern cold chain infrastructure, including smart temperature monitoring systems and low-emission refrigerated trucks.
For instance, in December 2024, the European Commission announced a new initiative to upgrade cold chain logistics for cross-border food transport, aiming to improve food quality and environmental performance across the EU.
Asia Pacific region is expected to exhibit prominent growth in the market during the forecast period, fueled by growing urbanization, rising consumer expectations for fresh produce, and robust investments in food safety infrastructure. As consumer preferences shift toward fresh and high-quality perishable products like dairy, seafood, fruits, and vegetables, there is a greater need for temperature-controlled logistics to maintain product integrity. The expansion of organized retail, food delivery services, and e-commerce grocery platforms across countries such as China, India, and Southeast Asia has further fueled the need for efficient cold chain infrastructure, thereby propelling the refrigerated transport market share. Additionally, governments in the region are investing in modernizing supply chains to reduce food loss and meet export quality standards.
For instance, India’s Ministry of Food Processing Industries has been supporting cold chain development through subsidies and public-private partnerships to improve agricultural logistics. This growing emphasis on safe food transport, coupled with regional trade in temperature-sensitive goods, continues to drive the demand for refrigerated transport across Asia Pacific.
Germany's refrigerated transport market is growing due to its strong export of meat, dairy, and pharmaceuticals, all requiring reliable cold chain systems. Strict food safety regulations and sustainability goals are pushing the adoption of eco-friendly technologies. For instance, logistics firms are deploying electric refrigerated trucks and solar-powered cooling systems to meet EU green targets while maintaining product integrity.
The United States is a key player in the refrigerated transport market, driven by strong demand for perishable foods and temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals. Major retailers like Walmart and Kroger are expanding cold fleets and adopting real-time temperature monitoring to ensure food freshness and safe drug delivery. The rise in online grocery shopping and the need for reliable vaccine logistics have further accelerated investments in advanced cold chain infrastructure, solidifying the U.S.'s leadership in the sector.
China’s demand for refrigerated transport market is growing rapidly due to rising consumption of fresh produce, seafood, and dairy, along with a booming e-commerce sector in fresh food delivery. Platforms like JD Fresh and Freshippo are expanding cold chain logistics to meet this demand. The government is also pushing cold chain modernization and sustainability. In 2024, China saw a 351% year-on-year increase in new energy refrigerated truck sales, highlighting a strong shift toward eco-friendly, efficient cold transport solutions.
| Report Coverage | Details | ||
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| Base Year: | 2024 | Market Size in 2025: | USD 139.86 Bn |
| Historical Data for: | 2020 To 2024 | Forecast Period: | 2025 To 2032 |
| Forecast Period 2025 to 2032 CAGR: | 7.4% | 2032 Value Projection: | USD 230.53 Bn |
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China International Marine Containers (Group) Ltd., Daikin Industries, Ltd., Great Dane Trailers, Inc., HYUNDAI Translead, Ingersoll-Rand PLC (Thermo King), Lamberet SAS, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Schmitz Cargobull AG, Singamas Container Holdings Limited, United Technologies Corporation (Carrier Corporation), Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company, Wabash National Corporation, and Vehicle Works Bernard Krone Gmbh & Co. KG. |
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The consumption pattern and consumer perception of frozen foods are changing due to a number of factors, including the rise in female employment globally, the sudden impact of pandemics, and an increase in hectic lifestyles combined with the work-from-home culture. Frozen food sales are expected to increase, and opportunities for expansion can be found in developing markets like those in the Asia-Pacific region, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.
When climatic conditions affect crop productivity, frozen foods are preferred because they have a longer shelf life. Food producers work hard to offer consumers frozen food at reasonable prices, in addition to processed and packaged foods. By enhancing affordability and accessibility and preventing food loss, freezing techniques offer the ideal solution for moving food from the farmer's market to the supermarket. The demand for frozen foods is increasing as a result of the expansion of service industries like fast food chains, quick service restaurants, and hypermarkets. These factors collectively support the expansion of the refrigerated transport market size, as efficient cold chain logistics become essential to meet the surging demand for frozen food products.
Due to the acceleration of globalization, which has resulted in an increase in trade and a rise in demand for frozen and packaged food around the world, the market for refrigerated transportation is gaining traction. The refrigerated transport market is anticipated to grow significantly as a result of the global cold chain industry's development, the introduction of cutting-edge freezing technology, and automated freezing systems built into carrier vehicles.
Increasing household demand for frozen food globally, rising demand for meat products (freezing preserves meat products from microbial contamination), and expanding food service industry are additional significant factors that are anticipated to support the growth of the refrigerated transport market. The growth of the refrigerated transport market is also anticipated to be aided by increased governmental concern over the safety of food and regulations on the production, processing, and transportation of frozen food.
The efficiency of the supply chain is expected to improve as service providers adopt innovative methods for selecting transport modes. A notable trend is the increasing use of intermodal transportation in the food and beverage industry. This involves a combination of trucks, ships, and aircraft, with rail shipments playing a central role in moving perishable goods. The use of reefer containers in rail-based intermodal systems is gaining traction, particularly due to rising fuel costs, which make rail a more economical option. According to the Association of American Railroads (AAR) in Washington, businesses are investing heavily in rail infrastructure and related technologies to support this shift. This intermodal shift underscores a key trend in the refrigerated transport market forecast, highlighting how cost pressures and sustainability goals are reshaping cold chain logistics.
Because most pharmaceutical drugs are temperature-sensitive, they require controlled environments during storage and transportation to maintain their efficacy and safety. To support refrigerated transport market growth, temperature-controlled logistics are becoming essential in minimizing shipment losses and handling incidents. Technological advancements in refrigerated transport, coupled with reduced shipping costs, have encouraged several pharmaceutical companies to expand internationally. The increasing global demand for biologics, cellular therapies, vaccines, and blood products has further fueled the need for reliable, temperature-controlled transport solutions.
The refrigerated transport market value stands at a critical inflection point, propelled not just by demand but by the necessity to evolve. In my view, the sector’s long-term resilience will hinge less on volume expansion and more on how quickly it can adopt intelligent technologies and respond to regulatory scrutiny.
A 2023 study from the Global Cold Chain Alliance revealed that nearly 20% of perishable losses occur due to suboptimal temperature control during transit, not storage. This exposes a structural fragility in conventional reefer fleets that can no longer be addressed with patchwork improvements.
Moreover, the increasing shift toward multimodal cold chain networks blending road, rail, and sea introduces complexity that traditional asset-heavy players are struggling to manage. In contrast, technology-forward providers integrating real-time IoT telemetry and predictive analytics are establishing a competitive moat. For instance, Maersk’s use of Remote Container Management (RCM) has led to a 30% reduction in spoilage-related disputes, positioning them ahead in both B2B reliability and ESG reporting.
Another underestimated force shaping this market is regulatory convergence. The tightening of food safety laws in Asia, particularly under India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) and China’s stringent import protocols is forcing companies to comply with multi-jurisdictional thermal traceability, not just basic monitoring. Compliance is no longer a check-the-box exercise; it is becoming a service differentiator.
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About Author
Ameya Thakkar is a seasoned management consultant with 9+ years of experience optimizing operations and driving growth for companies in the automotive and transportation sector. As a senior consultant at CMI, Ameya has led strategic initiatives that have delivered over $50M in cost savings and revenue gains for clients. Ameya specializes in supply chain optimization, process re-engineering, and identification of deep revenue pockets. He has deep expertise in the automotive industry, having worked with major OEMs and suppliers on complex challenges such as supplier analysis, demand analysis, competitive analysis, and Industry 4.0 implementation.
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