India Cold Chain Storage and Logistics Market 2025–2030: Surge in Pharma & Dairy Demand

India Cold Chain Storage and Logistics Market Outlook

The India Cold Chain Storage and Logistics Market was valued at USD 4,701 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 12,192.35 million by 2030, growing at a robust CAGR of 17.04% during the forecast period. The market's rapid growth is attributed to rising demand for perishable goods such as seafood, dairy, meat, fruits, and vegetables, combined with increased pharmaceutical and vaccine distribution that requires temperature-sensitive handling. India's burgeoning e-commerce sector and increasing preference for fresh, ready-to-eat, and frozen food products are further accelerating the development of cold chain infrastructure.

The government's focus on reducing post-harvest losses and improving food security through subsidies, FDI incentives, and the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana has encouraged private and foreign investments into the cold chain segment. With increased urbanization, a growing middle-class population, and rising disposable incomes, there is heightened demand for safe, hygienic, and fresh food delivery across the country. Furthermore, India's role as a major vaccine and pharmaceutical exporter, especially in the post-pandemic era, is creating a structural need for reliable cold storage and transportation facilities, positioning the market for long-term expansion.

Research Objectives

To evaluate and forecast the size of the India Cold Chain Storage and Logistics Market.
To identify growth drivers, challenges, and emerging opportunities.
To assess service, temperature, application, and technology segments.
To analyze regional dynamics and investment potential.
To evaluate the market share and strategies of key global and local players.

Assumptions

Consistent public-private investment in cold chain infrastructure.
No severe global supply chain disruptions during forecast period.
Favorable regulatory support from government and trade bodies.

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Market Driver Analysis

One of the major driving factors behind the growth of India’s cold chain market is the rising demand for food preservation to reduce post-harvest losses. According to the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, India loses over INR 92,000 crore annually due to inadequate cold storage and supply chain logistics. Perishable commodities like fruits, vegetables, dairy, and seafood require end-to-end temperature-controlled systems to maintain freshness and minimize waste. With India being the world’s largest milk producer and second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables, the demand for refrigerated logistics is vital. Additionally, the booming pharmaceutical sector, which accounts for more than 20% of global generic medicine exports, increasingly relies on reliable cold chains for vaccines, biologics, and temperature-sensitive drugs. Moreover, the rising penetration of online grocery platforms, food delivery apps, and the growing organized retail sector, which grew by over 25% between 2022 and 2024, further reinforces the need for advanced cold chain infrastructure.

Market Trends Analysis

A key trend shaping the Indian cold chain market is the integration of IoT, automation, and data analytics in warehousing and transportation. Smart cold storage systems equipped with remote temperature monitoring, GPS-based fleet tracking, and predictive maintenance capabilities are becoming the norm. Increasing adoption of warehouse management systems (WMS) and automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) is helping companies reduce operational costs and improve service quality. The industry is also witnessing a shift towards multi-temperature storage facilities to serve diverse product categories under one roof. Sustainability is another growing trend, with companies investing in energy-efficient refrigeration units, solar-powered cold rooms, and eco-friendly refrigerants. The use of hybrid delivery models combining frozen and chilled transport in a single trip is increasing operational efficiency. Meanwhile, collaborative models between agri-tech firms, third-party logistics (3PL) providers, and retailers are emerging to streamline last-mile delivery and cold supply chain traceability. These technological and operational shifts are expected to redefine the future of cold logistics in India.

Market Challenges Analysis

Despite its promising growth, the Indian cold chain market faces several challenges. Fragmented supply chains, poor rural infrastructure, and high energy costs hinder the full-scale implementation of cold storage across the country. Nearly 60% of existing cold storage capacity is concentrated in just four states, including Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, leading to regional imbalances. The lack of trained manpower and inadequate standardization across equipment and processes impacts operational efficiency. Moreover, refrigerated transport penetration remains below 15%, limiting the cold chain's reach beyond metro and Tier I cities. These gaps must be addressed to unlock the sector’s full potential.

Market Segmentation

India Cold Chain Logistics Market, By Service Type:

Refrigerated Warehouse
Refrigerated Transportation

India Cold Chain Logistics Market, By Application:

Seafood
Meat
Fruit & Vegetable
Dairy Products
Alternative Protein
Others

India Cold Chain Logistics Market, By Temperature Type:

Frozen
Chilled

India Cold Chain Logistics Market, By Technology:

Dry Ice
Gel Packs
Eutectic Plates
Liquid Nitrogen
Quilts

Regional Analysis

The India Cold Chain Storage and Logistics Market exhibits strong regional disparities due to uneven infrastructure development and agri-produce concentrations. Northern states such as Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana lead in cold storage capacities owing to their dominance in food grain, vegetable, and dairy production. Uttar Pradesh alone houses over 1,800 cold storage units, predominantly for potatoes. In Eastern India, West Bengal has emerged as a cold chain hub due to significant seafood exports and horticultural activity, supported by strong port connectivity in Kolkata.

Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka are the top performers in Western and Southern India. Maharashtra, with its robust agro-processing industries and pharmaceutical manufacturing hubs, supports significant demand for cold transportation and storage. Gujarat’s focus on dairy and seafood exports has spurred private investments into cold logistics. In South India, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have seen increased cold chain activity driven by organized retail and floriculture exports. Meanwhile, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are expanding their cold chain footprint through public-private partnerships and FPO collaborations.

Tier II and III cities are also witnessing increasing cold storage demand, especially near food processing parks and industrial corridors like the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). Investments in rail-based reefer containers, regional agri-export zones, and integrated pack houses are creating new growth pockets beyond traditional metros. However, capacity constraints remain high in Central India and Northeast regions, presenting untapped investment opportunities.

Analyst View & TechSci Research Opportunity Map

Analysts believe the India Cold Chain Storage and Logistics Market is transitioning from a commodity-based storage model to an integrated logistics and value-chain solution. Growing demand for end-to-end cold supply chains in pharmaceuticals, seafood exports, and fresh produce retailing is driving innovation and strategic investments. Companies are adopting asset-light models and entering long-term partnerships with 3PLs to minimize CAPEX.

TechSci Research identifies key opportunity zones in:

AI-powered route and temperature optimization systems.
Cold chain solutions tailored for vaccines and biologics.
Investment in rural pack houses with last-mile cold linkages.
Multi-modal transportation with reefer rail and air cargo expansion.
Green cold chain solutions to lower energy and refrigerant footprint.

Key Players and Competitive Analysis

Snowman Logistics Pvt. Ltd.

HQ: Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Establishment Date: 1996
CEO/Founder: Prem Kishan Dass Gupta (Founder); Sunil Prabhakaran Nair (CEO)
Developments:
- Snowman Logistics is a leading integrated temperature-controlled logistics provider in India, operating since 1996, catering to food, pharmaceuticals, and retail sectors with a pan-India presence.
- In July 2025, Snowman expanded by opening a new cold storage facility in Kundli, adding 3,576 pallet positions. The company now operates across 21 cities with a total capacity of over 154,330 pallets.
- Emphasizes technology-driven operations, including real-time temperature monitoring and a robust fleet of refrigerated vehicles for product integrity.

Coldman Logistics Pvt. Ltd.

HQ: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
CEO/Founder: Sanjay Sharma (Key figure)
Developments:
- Coldman operates 11 branches across India, including Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, and Ahmedabad, offering customized cold chain solutions with six temperature zones from -30°C to +30°C.
- In 2021, Coldman was awarded "Cold Chain Service Provider of the Year" for its service excellence.
- Recently unveiled Phase-II of a 'Design to Suit' Temperature-Controlled Warehouse in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, enhancing infrastructure. The company uses eco-friendly refrigerants like FREON R404a and focuses on energy-efficient operations.

Celcius Logistics

HQ: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Developments:
- Celcius is India’s largest "online" cold chain network, connecting shippers and transporters across 40+ cities with certified food and pharma-compliant facilities and real-time tracking.
- Secured INR 100 crore in Series A funding to innovate cold chain technology, focusing on refrigerated transportation and cold storage booking for perishables. Partners with major clients like Zepto.
- Notable for managing the Shahi Litchi D2C project, handling litchi box pickups, storage, and deliveries across multiple cities.

Coldrush Logistics Pvt. Ltd.

Establishment Date: 2012
Developments:
- Coldrush provides end-to-end cold chain solutions, including temperature-controlled warehousing, transportation, and distribution for food, pharmaceuticals, and dairy, with chilled, frozen, and ambient storage.
- Leverages advanced technology to ensure safe handling of temperature-sensitive products, establishing a strong presence in India’s cold chain market.
- Focuses on meeting stringent requirements to enhance supply chain performance for perishables.

Indicold Logistics

HQ: Dholasan, Gujarat (operational hub)
Establishment Date: 2019
Developments:
- Indicold specializes in temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics for food, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals, offering frozen, chilled, and ambient storage.
- In 2024, commissioned India’s first fully automated high-bay frozen ASRS warehouse in Dholasan, Gujarat, with a 10,000-pallet capacity, followed by a second automated facility.
- Focuses on innovation, transparency, and efficiency to provide accessible cold chain solutions.

Gubba Cold Storage Pvt. Ltd.

HQ: Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Establishment Date: 1987
Developments:
- One of the first cold storage companies in Andhra Pradesh, Gubba has a capacity of 1.25 crore cubic feet across 17 facilities, serving seeds, dairy, processed food, and pharmaceuticals.
- Known for adopting new technologies and maintaining a dedicated team to ensure high-quality preservation and storage services.
- Recognized as a leading name in cold storage solutions in India.

Crystal Group Cold Chain Solutions

HQ: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Establishment Date: 1962
Developments:
- With over 60 years of experience, Crystal Group offers cold storage warehousing, portable cold storage containers, and refrigerated transportation for pharmaceuticals, FMCG, dairy, and seafood.
- Operates over 200 cold storage facilities with 150+ warehousing partnerships, serving clients like Amul and Blinkit, and aims to reduce delivery timelines by over 40%.
- Focuses on customization, real-time monitoring, and advanced security solutions.

ColdEX Logistics Pvt. Ltd.

HQ: Gurgaon, Haryana, India
Establishment Date: Over a decade ago (exact year not specified)
Developments:
- ColdEX operates one of India’s largest company-owned cold chain fleets with 650 units, serving ambient, chilled, and frozen categories for FMCG, food services, confectionery, dairy, and retail.
- Handles over 7,000 drops daily across 210+ cities, with technology integration for transparency and efficiency. Partners with clients like Sapphire Foods as a 4PL provider.
- Emphasizes scalable processes and real-time tracking to streamline operations.

ColdStar Logistics Pvt. Ltd.

HQ: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Developments:
- ColdStar provides end-to-end supply chain solutions for quick-service restaurants, retailers, and healthcare, focusing on warehousing, distribution, and ambient transport.
- Partners with industry leaders to ensure zero stock-outs and reliable delivery, addressing supply chain disruptions during rapid growth.
- Emphasizes deep national networks to strengthen brand trust and prevent lost sales.

AWL India

HQ: Gurgaon, Haryana, India
Developments:
- AWL specializes in cold chain logistics for pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and vaccines, offering advanced warehousing and transportation solutions.
- Provides large-scale cold storage rooms and mobile refrigerated containers, serving domestic and international markets with smart warehouses.
- Focuses on certifications and compliance with stringent standards for temperature-sensitive goods.

Future Outlook (2025–2030)