South Korea Cold Chain Logistics Market Size, Share, Trends and Forecast by Service, Temperature Type, Application, and Region, 2026-2034

South Korea Cold Chain Logistics Market Overview:

The South Korea cold chain logistics market size reached USD 6,223.41 Million in 2025. The market is projected to reach USD 16,993.57 Million by 2034, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 11.81% during 2026-2034. The market is driven by the rapid expansion of e-commerce and quick commerce platforms requiring efficient temperature-controlled last-mile delivery solutions, government regulatory support through enhanced food safety standards and smart logistics infrastructure investments, and the pharmaceutical sector's increasing need for specialized cold chain capabilities to handle biologics and vaccines. These dynamics are significantly expanding the South Korea cold chain logistics market share.

South Korea Cold Chain Logistics Market Trends:

Rapid Expansion of E-Commerce and Quick Commerce

The explosive growth of e-commerce and quick commerce platforms in South Korea is fundamentally reshaping the cold chain logistics landscape. A significant portion of e-commerce food deliveries now require temperature-controlled infrastructure, creating unprecedented demand for specialized last-mile delivery solutions. Online grocery shopping has surged dramatically, with a substantial portion of South Korean households now engaging in online purchases, driven by consumer preferences for convenience and product variety. This shift has necessitated substantial investments in micro-fulfillment centers, localized warehouses, and smart locker systems strategically positioned across dense urban areas to enable same-day and next-day delivery capabilities. The integration of advanced technologies such as electric vehicles, two-wheelers, and autonomous delivery systems is further strengthening the reliability and efficiency of last-mile cold chain operations. Logistics providers are responding by deploying multi-temperature chambers within fulfillment centers to accommodate diverse product categories ranging from fresh produce and dairy to frozen meals and ice cream, ensuring products maintain optimal conditions without cross-contamination. The rise of quick commerce, promising ultra-fast delivery, has triggered a wave of micro-fulfillment center construction across Seoul, Busan, Incheon, and other major cities. Partnerships between retailers and specialized third-party logistics providers are intensifying as companies seek to enhance coverage, reduce delivery times, and meet escalating consumer expectations for product freshness and reliability. Digital platforms and mobile applications are revolutionizing how consumers organize their shopping, with features such as real-time tracking, temperature monitoring transparency, and flexible delivery windows becoming standard expectations.

Government Regulatory Support and Smart Logistics Infrastructure Investment

The government has emerged as a pivotal enabler of South Kores cold chain logistics market growth through comprehensive regulatory frameworks and strategic infrastructure investments designed to modernize the sector. The South Korean government has implemented regulations mandating stricter temperature control standards for food transportation and storage, aiming to enhance food safety and quality while ensuring all cold chain logistics providers comply with new guidelines to minimize spoilage and health risks. These regulatory developments have compelled logistics companies to invest in advanced monitoring systems, quality assurance protocols, and compliance mechanisms, raising industry standards across the board. The introduction of the K-Pharma Cold Chain Guidelines, which became mandatory for all companies involved in pharmaceutical distribution, has established rigorous protocols for monitoring, calibration, and emergency response in the handling of temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products, including biologics and vaccines. Beyond regulatory measures, the government has launched comprehensive smart logistics innovation initiatives, allocating substantial funding specifically for upgrading cold chain infrastructure with Internet of Things-based real-time monitoring systems. These incentives are designed to significantly reduce food waste and expand cold chain coverage to underdeveloped and rural areas, ensuring equitable access to high-quality logistics services nationwide. The government is also promoting corporate investment in logistics centers and manufacturing facilities, with major initiatives to enhance the overall logistics ecosystem. Furthermore, due to government regulations on high global warming potential hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant use, refrigerants used in industrial refrigeration equipment and refrigerated trucks must meet increasingly stringent environmental standards in the coming years, driving innovation in environmentally sustainable refrigeration technologies. Tax incentives and financial support programs are being rolled out to encourage companies to adopt green technologies and upgrade existing facilities to meet modern environmental and operational standards. These combined regulatory and investment measures are creating a conducive environment for cold chain expansion, attracting both domestic and international players to invest in state-of-the-art facilities and technologies, thereby strengthening South Korea's position as a regional logistics hub.

Pharmaceutical and Biopharmaceutical Cold Chain Growth

The pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical sectors are experiencing rapid expansion in South Korea, driving substantial demand for specialized cold chain logistics infrastructure and services. With increasing research and development activity in biologics, vaccines, and temperature-sensitive drug formulations, the country has witnessed substantial growth in pharmaceutical cold chain investments, driven primarily by vaccine distribution and clinical trial logistics requirements. The growing prominence of South Korea as a biopharmaceutical manufacturing and export hub has necessitated robust cold chain capabilities to ensure product efficacy and safety throughout the supply chain. The rollout of national immunization programs and the expanding production of biologics have further accelerated demand for ultra-low temperature storage and transportation solutions capable of maintaining stringent temperature ranges, often as low as minus 80 degrees Celsius for certain mRNA vaccines and biological products. Logistics providers are responding by establishing Korea Good Supply Practice-certified facilities equipped with advanced temperature-controlled zones, real-time monitoring systems, and backup power infrastructure to prevent any temperature excursions that could compromise product integrity. The market is further bolstered by the increasing export of pharmaceutical products to international markets, requiring seamless cold chain coordination across borders and compliance with diverse regulatory standards. Pharmaceutical companies are increasingly partnering with specialized third-party logistics providers that possess the technical expertise, infrastructure, and certifications necessary to handle complex temperature-sensitive shipments. The integration of innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence-driven monitoring systems, blockchain-based tracking for data integrity and traceability, and Internet of Things-enabled sensors is enhancing real-time visibility and control over pharmaceutical shipments. This technological advancement not only improves operational efficiency but also ensures regulatory compliance and strengthens trust among healthcare stakeholders. Clinical trial logistics represent another growing segment, requiring precise temperature control and chain of custody documentation for investigational drugs and biological samples moving between research facilities, hospitals, and laboratories.

South Korea Cold Chain Logistics Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the country and regional levels for 2026-2034. Our report has categorized the market based on service, temperature type, and application.

Service Insights:

• Storage
• Transportation
• Value-added Service

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the service. This includes storage, transportation, and value-added service.

Temperature Type Insights:

• Chilled
• Frozen

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the temperature type have also been provided in the report. This includes chilled and frozen.

Application Insights:

• Horticulture
• Dairy Products
• Meats, Fish and Poultry
• Processed Food Products
• Pharma, Life Sciences and Chemicals
• Others

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the application. This includes horticulture, dairy products, meats, fish and poultry, processed food products, pharma, life sciences and chemicals, and others.

Regional Insights:

• Seoul Capital Area
• Yeongnam (Southeastern Region)
• Honam (Southwestern Region)
• Hoseo (Central Region)
• Others

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include Seoul Capital Area, Yeongnam (Southeastern Region), Honam (Southwestern Region), Hoseo (Central Region), and others.

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.

South Korea Cold Chain Logistics Market News:

• March 2025: South Korea’s Lotte Global Logistics began constructing a cold chain logistics centre in Dong Nai, Vietnam, investing USD 34 Million. This expansion highlights South Korean cold chain providers' global growth strategy, enhancing logistics capabilities, cold storage services, and market presence in Southeast Asia.

South Korea Cold Chain Logistics Market Report Coverage:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the South Korea cold chain logistics market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What is the breakup of the South Korea cold chain logistics market on the basis of service?
• What is the breakup of the South Korea cold chain logistics market on the basis of temperature type?
• What is the breakup of the South Korea cold chain logistics market on the basis of application?
• What is the breakup of the South Korea cold chain logistics market on the basis of region?
• What are the various stages in the value chain of the South Korea cold chain logistics market?
• What are the key driving factors and challenges in the South Korea cold chain logistics market?
• What is the structure of the South Korea cold chain logistics market and who are the key players?
• What is the degree of competition in the South Korea cold chain logistics 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 South Korea cold chain logistics market from 2020-2034.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the South Korea cold chain logistics market.
• Porter's Five Forces analysis assists 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 South Korea cold chain logistics 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.