Australia Cold Chain Market

Australia Cold Chain Market Overview:

The Australia cold chain market size reached USD 6.33 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 30.81 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 19.23% during 2025-2033. Rising demand for fresh and frozen food, expanding pharmaceutical logistics, stricter food safety regulations, increased e-commerce grocery sales, improved cold storage infrastructure, and advancements in temperature-controlled transport and tracking technologies across the supply chain are some of the factors propelling the growth of the market.

Australia Cold Chain Market Trends:

Rising Investment and Expansion in Temperature-Controlled Logistics

Australia is witnessing rising interest in temperature-controlled logistics, influenced by global momentum in refrigerated transport and storage services. The sector is being reshaped by increasing consumer reliance on perishable food delivery, pharmaceutical distribution, and export-grade fresh produce. With international markets expanding rapidly and projections showing a threefold increase in valuation, domestic logistics players are investing in advanced infrastructure, including energy-efficient cold storage units, GPS-enabled reefer trucks, and real-time temperature monitoring systems. This shift is not just geared toward keeping pace with international demand but also aligning with stringent quality and safety regulations. Additionally, partnerships between logistics operators and retail chains are intensifying to streamline last-mile cold deliveries, especially in urban and remote regions. The overall outlook suggests significant upgrades in capabilities and coverage, supported by rising cross-border trade, evolving consumer preferences, and policy-driven improvements in food and health supply chain reliability. For instance, the global cold chain logistics market size was valued at USD 292.06 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group estimates the market to reach USD 932.70 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 12.31% from 2025-2033.

Sustainable Packaging Gains Ground in Cold Chain Sector

Australia’s cold chain logistics sector is increasingly moving toward sustainable packaging solutions to reduce environmental impact. Traditional materials like expanded polystyrene are being replaced with recyclable and compostable alternatives such as fiberboard and wool insulation. These solutions are capable of maintaining critical temperature ranges, particularly for pharmaceuticals during high-heat summer conditions. The shift reflects a broader industry effort to align logistics practices with eco-conscious goals, minimize non-recyclable waste, and enhance operational sustainability. Emphasis is now on solutions that balance temperature control, performance reliability, and environmental responsibility across short-distance and time-sensitive shipment needs. For example, in September 2024, Merck introduced eco-friendly insulation for cold-chain shipments in Australia, replacing expanded polystyrene with fiberboard and wool-based materials from Planet Protector Packaging. The switch eliminates 3.6 tons of non-recyclable waste annually. Designed to maintain 2°C to 8°C for one-day pharma shipments in Australian summer conditions, the new packaging supports Merck’s SMASH Packaging strategy aimed at improving sustainability across its supply chain.

Australia Cold Chain Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the country level for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on type, temperature range, and application.

Type Insights:

• Storage
  • Facilities/Services
    • Refrigerated Warehouse
    • Cold Room
  • Equipment
    • Blast Freezer
    • Walk-in Cooler and Freezer
    • Deep Freezer
    • Others
• Transportation
  • By Mode
    • Road
    • Sea
    • Rail
    • Air
  • By Offering
    • Refrigerated Vehicles
    • Refrigerated Containers
• Packaging
  • Crates
  • Insulated Containers and Boxes
    • Large (32 to 66 liters)
    • Medium (21 to 29 liters)
    • Small (10 to 17 liters)
    • X-small (3 to 8 liters)
    • Petite (0.9 to 2.7 liters)
  • Cold Chain Bags/Vaccine Bags
  • Ice Packs
  • Others
• Monitoring Components
  • Hardware
    • Sensors
    • RFID Devices
    • Telematics
    • Networking Devices
    • Others
  • Software
    • On-premises
    • Cloud-based

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the type. This includes storage [facilities/services (refrigerated warehouse and cold room), equipment (blast freezer, walk-in cooler and freezer, deep freezer, and others)], transportation [by mode (road, sea, rail, and air), by offering (refrigerated vehicles and refrigerated containers)], packaging [crates, insulate containers and boxes (large (32 to 66 liters), medium (21 to 29 liters), small (10 to 17 liters), x-small (3 to 8 liters), petite (0.9 to 2.7 liters), cold chain bags/vaccine bags, ice packs, and others], and monitoring components [hardware (sensors, RFID devices, telematics, networking devices, and others) and software (on-premises and cloud-based)].

Temperature Range Insights:

• Chilled (0°C to 15°C)
• Frozen (-18°C to -25°C)
• Deep-frozen (Below -25°C)

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the temperature range have also been provided in the report. This includes chilled (0°C to 15°C), frozen (-18°C to -25°C), and deep-frozen (below -25°C).

Application Insights:

• Food and Beverages
  • Fruits and Vegetables
  • Fruit Pulp and Concentrates
  • Dairy Products
    • Milk
    • Butter
    • Cheese
    • Ice Cream
    • Others
  • Fish, Meat, and Seafood
  • Processed Food
  • Bakery and Confectionary
  • Others
• Pharmaceuticals
  • Vaccines
  • Blood Banking
  • Others
• Others

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the application have also been provided in the report. This includes food and beverages [fruits and vegetables, fruit pulp and concentrates, dairy products (milk, butter, cheese, ice cream, and others), fish, meat, and seafood, processed food, bakery and confectionary, and others], pharmaceuticals (vaccines, blood banking, and others), and others.

Regional Insights:

• Australia Capital Territory & New South Wales
• Victoria & Tasmania
• Queensland
• Northern Territory & Southern Australia
• Western Australia

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include Australia Capital Territory & New South Wales, Victoria & Tasmania, Queensland, Northern Territory & Southern Australia, and Western Australia.

Competitive Landscape:

The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape. Competitive analysis such as market structure, key player positioning, top winning strategies, competitive dashboard, and company evaluation quadrant has been covered in the report. Also, detailed profiles of all major companies have been provided.

Australia Cold Chain Market News:

• In April 2025, Cold Chain Technologies launched the CCT Tower Elite, a reusable 1600L pallet shipper featuring multi-temperature control and IoT-enabled tracking. This innovation enhanced the secure transport of temperature-sensitive goods in Australia, improving delivery reliability and supporting the growth of advanced cold chain logistics.
• In April 2025, China Eastern Air Logistics introduced a new portfolio in Adelaide focused on boosting exports of temperature-sensitive goods like rock lobster, salmon, and cherries. As part of this, an MoU was signed between its cold chain division and Ferguson Australia to strengthen end-to-end cold chain services. The initiative aims to support South Australia’s premium seafood and produce exports with reliable, temperature-controlled logistics connecting to international markets.

Australia Cold Chain Market Report Coverage:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the Australia cold chain market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What is the breakup of the Australia cold chain market on the basis of type?
• What is the breakup of the Australia cold chain market on the basis of temperature range?
• What is the breakup of the Australia cold chain market on the basis application?
• What is the breakup of the Australia cold chain on the basis of region?
• What are the various stages in the value chain of the Australia cold chain market? 
• What are the key driving factors and challenges in the Australia cold chain?
• What is the structure of the Australia cold chain market and who are the key players?
• What is the degree of competition in the Australia cold chain market? 

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the Australia cold chain market from 2019-2033.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the Australia cold chain market.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the Australia cold chain industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.