Indian Cold Chain Market Research Report and Industry Forecast

Indian Cold Chain Market Size and Share:

The Indian cold chain market size reached INR 2,287.5 Billion in 2024. The market is expected to reach INR 6,061.7 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 10.86% during 2025-2033. The market growth is attributed to growth in organized food retail, growth in the processed food sector, shift towards fruits and vegetables, and increasing demand from the healthcare sector.

Market Insights:

• On the basis of states, the market has been divided into Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab, Gujarat, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, and others.
• Based on segment, the market has been divided into cold chain storage and cold chain transportation. Currently, cold chain storage dominates the market, holding the largest share.
• On the basis of product, the market has been divided into fruits and vegetables, meat and fish, dairy products, and healthcare products.
• Based on sector, the market has been divided into private, cooperative, and public. The private sector currently represents the largest segment.
• On the basis of organised and unorganised, the market has been divided into organised and unorganised.

Market Size and Forecast:

• 2024 Market Size: INR 2,287.5 Billion
• 2033 Projected Market Size: INR 6,061.7 Billion
• CAGR (2025-2033): 10.86%

Cold chains impart storage and distribution services for products that have to be maintained at a given temperature. India is currently the world’s largest producer of milk, second largest producer of fruits and vegetables and has a substantial production of marine, meat and poultry products. Most of these products are temperature sensitive and require specific temperature ranges to be stored and transported. This has resulted in the establishment of a very large cold chain infrastructure in the country.

Indian Cold Chain Market Drivers:

• Growth in Organized Food Retail: Organized retail is expected to be amongst the biggest drivers of the cold chain market in India. With the growth of the organized food retail, we expect consumers to get access to a very large variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, meat and poultry products and a number of other temperature sensitive commodities that require cold chain storage and transportation. Most of the organized retail players have already acknowledged that setting up of a strong cold chain infrastructure is a key step in efficiently managing their supply chains.
• Growth in the Processed Food Sector: There has been a marked improvement in the consumer demand for processed foods, which provides boost to Indian cold chain market growth . The Indian government has also announced the intent of establishing several mega food parks. This augurs well for the development of the cold chain industry in the country.
• Shift Towards Fruits and Vegetables: Due to increasing risks and investments in grain crops, farmers are moving towards cultivation of fruits and vegetables. Most of these crops require refrigeration and hence are expected to encourage the development of cold storage facilities.
• Increasing Demand from the Healthcare Sector: A number of healthcare products such as vaccines, biopharmaceuticals as well as clinical trial materials are heat sensitive and must be stored at temperatures ranging from 2^OC - 8^OC. With India’s vaccine, biopharmaceutical and clinical trials market expected to grow at double digit growth rates, we expect a strong demand of efficient cold chain facilities in the coming years.

Indian Cold Chain Market Trends:

Digital Integration and IoT Implementation

The widespread use of IoT technology is transforming the industry by enabling end-to-end connectivity at various points in the supply chain. Temperature-sensitive products can be tracked in real time, so any variations from ideal conditions can be immediately identified and rectified, avoiding losses. Intelligent sensors and AI-powered data analysis are offering greater transparency regarding product quality, shelf life, and inventory flow, and improving the efficiency of cold chain operations. In addition, blockchain integration provides improved security and traceability, lowering fraud risks and winning consumer confidence, particularly in the case of high-end and perishable goods. The scalability of IoT solutions means even the small players can take advantage of this technology, creating a level playing field in the industry. With these technologies improving further, they are also facilitating predictive maintenance, which cuts down downtime and maximizes asset management. This trend significantly enhances Indian cold chain market outlook.

Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Solutions

Sustainability is increasingly becoming one of the main pillars of the cold chain business in India due to both environmental pressure and increasing energy prices. Businesses are investing heavily in energy-efficient cooling technologies, such as advanced compressor systems and smart refrigeration management software, which help save energy and reduce costs. Solar-powered cold storage units in rural belts are also picking up pace, providing a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution to farmers there. Natural refrigerants ammonia and CO2 are also being increasingly used as alternatives to conventional, environmentally unfriendly chemicals, bringing down the industry's overall carbon footprint. Aside from energy, sustainable packaging is increasingly in the spotlight with new developments in biodegradable wraps and reusable crates to curb waste and pollution. Some of the key cold chain players are also going green with building certifications, having their facilities and warehouses meet international environmental standards. As the Indian cold chain market share increases, there is a greater need for integrated sustainability measures that not only prioritize energy efficiency but also reduce waste, emissions, and the environment footprint from operations.

Multi-Modal Transportation and Hub Development

The shift towards multi-modal transportation in India's cold chain industry is transforming the way temperature-sensitive goods are moved across the country. By integrating rail, road, and air transport, companies are able to optimize delivery speed and reduce costs, particularly for long-distance shipments. Dedicated cold chain corridors, connecting agricultural hubs to major metropolitan areas, are reducing transit times and ensuring that perishable products reach urban markets in a timely manner. This infrastructure development is particularly beneficial for tier-2 and tier-3 cities, where cold chain solutions were previously underdeveloped. The creation of strategically located temperature-controlled distribution centers or hubs is improving last-mile delivery efficiency by acting as consolidation points for goods coming from various production sources. These hubs not only help in lowering transportation costs but also ensure better stock management and real-time inventory tracking. Automation and AI are also playing a role in improving warehouse and logistics operations, enabling better coordination and reducing human error in managing complex cold chain logistics. Additionally, the rise of e-commerce is pushing the need for faster, more efficient cold chain solutions, where local hubs are playing a crucial role in meeting the demand for fresh produce and frozen foods at consumers' doorsteps.

Growth, Opportunities, and Challenges in the Indian Cold Chain Market:

• Growth Drivers: The increasing urbanization and changing consumer preferences towards fresh and processed foods are driving significant market expansion. Government initiatives promoting food processing industries and infrastructure development are creating favorable conditions for cold chain growth. Rising healthcare sector demand for temperature-controlled storage of pharmaceuticals and vaccines continues to fuel market development.
• Market Opportunities: According to the Indian cold chain market forecast, he untapped rural markets present enormous potential for cold chain expansion, particularly for agricultural produce storage and distribution. E-commerce growth and online grocery platforms are creating new opportunities for last-mile cold chain delivery services. Export market development for Indian agricultural and pharmaceutical products offers substantial growth prospects for cold chain infrastructure.
• Market Challenges: High capital investment requirements and operational costs pose significant barriers for small and medium-scale cold chain operators. Inadequate power infrastructure and frequent electricity outages in rural areas hamper efficient cold chain operations. Fragmented supply chains and lack of standardization across different regions create operational complexities and efficiency challenges.

Key Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each sub-segment of the Indian cold chain market report, along with forecasts at the country and state level from 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on segment, product, sector and organised and unorganised.

Breakup by Segment:

• Cold Chain Storage
• Cold Chain Transportation

As per the Indian cold chain market analysis, the market has been segmented as cold chain storage and cold chain transportation. Currently, cold chain storage dominates the market, holding the largest share.

Breakup by Product:

• Fruits and Vegetables
• Meat and Fish 
• Dairy Products
• Healthcare Products 

Based on the product, the market has been segmented as fruits and vegetables, meat and fish, dairy products and healthcare products.

Breakup by Sector:

• Private
• Cooperative
• Public

The private sector currently represents the largest segment.

Breakup by Organised and Unorganised:

• Organised
• Unorganised

According to the Indian cold chain market research report, the market has also been segmented on the basis of organised and unorganised sectors.

Breakup by States:

• Uttar Pradesh
• West Bengal
• Punjab
• Gujarat
• Bihar
• Andhra Pradesh
• Madhya Pradesh
• Maharashtra
• Karnataka
• Haryana
• Chhattisgarh
• Rajasthan
• Orissa
• Tamil Nadu
• Others

The market has also been segmented on the basis of various states.

Competitive Landscape:

The competitive landscape of the market has also been examined in the report and the profiles of key players have also been provided.

This report provides a deep insight into the Indian cold chain market covering all its essential aspects. This ranges from the macro overview of the market to micro details of the industry performance, recent trends, key market drivers and challenges, SWOT analysis, Porter’s five forces analysis, value chain analysis, etc. This report is a must-read for entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, consultants, business strategists, and all those who have any kind of stake or are planning to foray into the Indian cold chain market in any manner.

Latest News and Developments:

• In August 2025, Celcius Logistics launched 'Celcius+', a specialized logistics arm aimed at the pharmaceutical cold supply chain, with an initial investment of INR 50 Crore. The company plans to deploy 100 new reefer vehicles along key pharmaceutical corridors, allocating INR 35 Crore for this purpose. At the same time, the remaining funds will establish a pharma courier system for urban and semi-urban markets. Additionally, Celcius intends to recruit 30–40 professionals with expertise in pharma logistics and regulatory compliance to support this expansion.
• In June 2025, DP World inaugurated a 110,000 sq. ft. temperature-controlled warehouse in Taloja, Navi Mumbai, enhancing India's cold chain logistics capabilities for sectors such as pharmaceuticals, dairy, frozen foods, and perishable agriculture. The facility offers 11,000 pallet positions across multiple temperature zones and is strategically located near key transport hubs. Equipped with advanced refrigeration systems utilizing sustainable refrigerants, the warehouse aims to improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions, further expanding DP World's cold storage network in India to over 5 million sq. ft. across more than 60 locations.

Report Coverage: