US Cold Storage Market Size, Share, Trends and Forecast by Warehouse Type, Construction Type, Temperature Type, Application, and Region, 2026-2034

US Cold Storage Market Summary:

The US cold storage market size reached USD 46,283.55 Million in 2025. The market is projected to reach USD 1,96,443.90 Million by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 17.42% during 2026-2034. The market is driven by surging e-commerce grocery sales and meal kit delivery services, the growing pharmaceutical cold chain requirements for biologics and vaccine distribution, and widespread adoption of automation technologies. Additionally, stringent food safety regulations continue to propel the US cold storage market share.

US Cold Storage Market Outlook (2026-2034):

The US cold storage market is positioned for robust expansion, driven by the convergence of multiple growth catalysts throughout the forecast period. Rising health consciousness among consumers is accelerating the demand for organic food items and minimally processed frozen products, requiring sophisticated temperature-controlled storage infrastructure. Federal food safety regulations, including enhanced traceability requirements, are encouraging operators to invest in digital monitoring systems and advanced cold chain management technologies.

Impact of AI:

In the US, AI is fundamentally reshaping cold storage operations by optimizing energy management, predictive maintenance, and supply chain efficiency. AI algorithms analyze real-time temperature data, equipment performance metrics, and historical patterns to prevent spoilage, reduce energy consumption by adjusting cooling cycles, and predict refrigeration system failures before they occur. Machine learning (ML) models enhance inventory management by forecasting demand fluctuations and optimizing storage allocation, while automated quality control systems leverage computer vision to detect product defects.

Market Dynamics:

Key Market Trends & Growth Drivers:

Growth of E-Commerce Grocery Shopping

The broadening of e-commerce grocery shopping has fundamentally transformed cold storage infrastructure requirements across the United States. In September, online grocery sales in the US rose by over USD 1 Billion for the second consecutive month, based on data from Brick Meets Click and Mercatus, encouraging retailers and third-party logistics providers to establish micro-fulfillment centers within urban cores to shorten last-mile delivery times for perishable goods. These specialized facilities combine automated shuttle systems with click-and-collect capabilities, creating hybrid operations that blur traditional distinctions between retail stores and distribution warehouses. Advanced inventory software synchronizes stock visibility across centralized distribution hubs and forward-deployed fulfillment nodes, enabling dynamic allocation of perishable stock-keeping units based on real-time demand patterns. The US cold storage market growth is being further accelerated by consumer expectations for faster delivery of dairy products, meal kits, and frozen goods directly to residential doorsteps.

Pharmaceutical Cold Chain Expansion

The pharmaceutical industry's accelerating shift towards cell therapies and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine platforms is creating unprecedented demand for specialized ultra-cold storage infrastructure throughout the United States. As per the IMARC Group, the United States cell therapy market size reached USD 3.9 Billion in 2024. Temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products ranging from standard refrigerated medications requiring 2°C to 8°C storage to ultra-low temperature vaccines necessitating -80°C to -60°C conditions represent rapidly expanding market segments within cold chain logistics. Pharmaceutical shippers are increasingly outsourcing temperature-controlled storage to third-party logistics providers operating facilities with audited quality management systems and validated data logging capabilities. These specialized operators provide centralized automated ultra-low temperature chambers with redundant mechanical cooling systems, ensuring product integrity for high-value biologic medications and vaccine inventories throughout their distribution lifecycles.

Automation and Robotics Integration

Cold storage operators across the United States are accelerating investments in automation technologies, including automated storage and retrieval systems, autonomous forklifts, robotic palletizers, and AI-powered inventory management platforms, to address persistent labor shortages and enhance operational efficiency. In October 2025, Tjoapack enhanced its sterile packaging and cold chain storage facilities in the United States and Europe, intending to satisfy the rising need for injectable and biologic drug products. The firm put money into infrastructure at its facility in Clinton, New York, where two new packaging lines were being established. A fully automated high-speed vial packaging line was set to be commissioned in the second quarter of 2025, with an annual capacity reaching up to 20 Million units. Robotic systems optimize space utilization in temperature-controlled facilities while contributing to sustainability objectives by reducing energy consumption. Automated systems minimize human contact with extreme deep-freeze conditions by transporting products through conveyors for ergonomic selection and handling in ambient temperature areas, simultaneously decreasing labor costs and mitigating workforce recruitment challenges.

Key Market Challenges:

High Construction, Maintenance, and Energy Costs

One of the biggest challenges affecting the growth of the US cold storage market is the high cost of building and operating temperature-controlled facilities. Cold storage warehouses require advanced refrigeration systems, insulated infrastructure, automation, and energy management technologies, which involve substantial capital expenditure. Rising construction and real estate costs, especially in urban and port-adjacent regions, make new facility development expensive. Operating costs are also high due to continuous energy consumption for maintaining sub-zero or controlled environments. With rising electricity prices and sustainability requirements, operators are facing pressure to adopt energy-efficient systems, which is further increasing upfront investment. Maintenance is complex and costly, as even minor equipment failures can lead to product spoilage and regulatory compliance issues. These financial barriers discourage new entrants, limit capacity expansion, and slow modernization of aging cold storage facilities, particularly for smaller logistics companies struggling to manage long-term operational costs.

Workforce Shortages and Limited Skilled Labor

The US cold storage market is also constrained by a shortage of skilled labor and high employee turnover. Working conditions in cold storage facilities are physically demanding, often involving long hours in low-temperature environments, which reduces employee retention and limits talent availability. The sector needs skilled workers for equipment handling, refrigeration system operations, warehouse automation management, and safety compliance. However, competition for labor from the e-commerce, logistics, and manufacturing sectors makes it challenging for cold storage companies to attract and retain qualified workers. As the industry is adopting automation, robotics, and digital warehouse technologies, the need for technical skillsets is growing, widening the labor gap further. Training costs, compliance requirements, and safety standards add further operational burden. Without a sustainable labor pipeline and improved working conditions, productivity and service levels are affected, slowing expansion. Workforce shortages remain a critical barrier to scaling capacity and improving efficiency across the cold chain segment.

Aging Infrastructure and Capacity Gaps

A large portion of existing cold storage infrastructure in the US is outdated, built decades ago, and not designed for modern automation, e-commerce-driven fulfillment models, and evolving food and pharmaceutical storage needs. Many facilities lack advanced temperature zoning, energy-efficient systems, or digital monitoring technologies required for modern cold chain operations. Rapid growth in online grocery, meal kits, frozen foods, biologics, and pharmaceuticals is intensifying the demand, creating storage and distribution capacity gaps. Supply chain obstacles, especially in transportation, port congestion, and last-mile cold chain logistics, further strain market efficiency. Regional imbalances also exist, with high demand along coastal and urban hubs but limited availability in rural and secondary markets. Upgrading or expanding infrastructure requires significant capital, time, and regulatory approvals. Without timely modernization and strategic capacity build-out, cold storage operators are struggling to meet evolving client needs, reducing service quality and limiting market scalability.

US Cold Storage Market Report Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the US cold storage market, along with forecasts at the country and regional levels for 2026-2034. The market has been categorized based on warehouse type, construction type, temperature type, and application.

Analysis by Warehouse Type:

• Private and Semi-private
• Public

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the warehouse type. This includes private and semi-private and public.

Analysis by Construction Type:

• Bulk Storage
• Production Stores
• Ports

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the construction type have also been provided in the report. This includes bulk storage, production stores, and ports.

Analysis by Temperature Type:

• Chilled
• Frozen

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the temperature type. This includes chilled and frozen.

Analysis by Application:

• Fruits and Vegetables
• Dairy
• Fish, Meat and Seafood
• Processed Food
• Pharmaceuticals

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the application have also been provided in the report. This includes fruits and vegetables, dairy, fish, meat and seafood, processed food, and pharmaceuticals.

Analysis by Region:

• Northeast
• Midwest
• South
• West

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include Northeast, Midwest, South, and West.

Competitive Landscape:

The US cold storage market exhibits a moderately consolidated competitive environment, marked by the existence of multiple large-scale operators, which collectively dominate the market share through extensive facility networks and strategic acquisition strategies. Competition centers on service quality, geographic coverage, technological capabilities, and specialized offerings, such as ultra-cold pharmaceutical storage and automated handling systems. Food retailers and manufacturers are increasingly outsourcing temperature-controlled warehousing to reduce capital expenditures and access scalable capacity during demand fluctuations. Leading operators are differentiating through investments in automation technologies, energy-efficient infrastructure, and compliance capabilities, supporting stringent food safety and pharmaceutical regulations. Market consolidation continues, as major players acquire regional operators to expand geographic footprints, though numerous mid-sized and specialized facilities maintain competitive positions by serving niche markets and providing customized solutions.

US Cold Storage Industry Latest Developments:

• In April 2025, Agile Cold Storage, located in Georgia, celebrated the launch of its inaugural facility in Joliet, US. This semi-automated, multi-temperature plant spanned over 200,000 square feet and offered numerous employment opportunities to the community. The Joliet team would deliver various value-added services, such as case picking, container loading and unloading, drayage, import and export services, blast freezing, tempering, and boxing of beef and pork.

US Cold Storage Market Report Coverage:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the US cold storage market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What is the breakup of the US cold storage market on the basis of warehouse type?
• What is the breakup of the US cold storage market on the basis of construction type?
• What is the breakup of the US cold storage market on the basis of temperature type?
• What is the breakup of the US cold storage market on the basis of application?
• What is the breakup of the US cold storage market on the basis of region?
• What are the various stages in the value chain of the US cold storage market?
• What are the key driving factors and challenges in the US cold storage market?
• What is the structure of the US cold storage market and who are the key players?
• What is the degree of competition in the US cold storage 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 US cold storage market from 2020-2034.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the US cold storage 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 US cold storage 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.