Cold storage market to reach nearly US$200B by 2030 as online grocery and pharma demand surge

GLOBAL – The global cold storage market is growing fast, with its value expected to rise from US$158.67 billion in 2025 to US$198.78 billion by 2030, according to Mordor Intelligence, an India-based research firm.

The firm attributes this 4.61 percent annual growth rate to the rise of online grocery shopping and the expanding pharmaceutical supply chain.

Mordor Intelligence reports that the Asia-Pacific region holds the largest share of the global cold storage market and continues to grow the fastest. The growth comes from rising urban consumption and increased public investment in cold infrastructure.

“While frozen units remain essential, demand for ultra-low and cryogenic environments is rising alongside advancements in cell and gene therapies,” the report states.

Countries such as India and China are channeling public funds into cold storage facilities, while Japan is advancing automated vertical warehouses to manage higher volumes. Australia and South Korea are upgrading sites for seafood and vaccine logistics.

Meanwhile, ports in Singapore and Vietnam are expanding reefer facilities to improve export efficiency.

Mordor adds that rising disposable incomes across emerging cities are creating new demand for local cold lockers. “National incentives and the expansion of cold chain networks have driven tremendous growth in the sector across the Asia-Pacific region,” the firm notes.

North America adopts vertical storage

North America continues to grow strongly, driven by e-grocery expansion and new urban cold chain projects. The United States dominates the regional market, supported by large coastal and inland warehouses. Canada is expanding its cold storage footprint near key metro areas for both food and pharmaceutical logistics.

Because land in major cities is scarce, operators are adopting vertical storage models. Mordor Intelligence also highlights that cybersecurity resilience has become a top priority as facilities become more digital.

Online grocery shopping is changing how retailers handle perishable goods. Many now operate compact, automated cold storage facilities close to city centers to shorten delivery times. These “micro-fulfillment hubs” combine retail and warehouse functions, improving speed and reducing waste.

“To manage perishable goods efficiently, operators use smart inventory systems and often rely on third-party logistics providers for last-mile integration,” says the report.

In Asia, automation is transforming operations even further. Rising labor costs and limited land have led to the adoption of tall, automated warehouses that maximize both space and output.

Mordor Intelligence describes these high-bay facilities as a major shift toward technology-driven storage, operating around the clock and integrated into new infrastructure projects.

As global food and pharmaceutical demand continue to climb, analysts say the next five years will define how fast countries can build reliable, efficient, and technology-ready cold storage systems.

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