Europe Food Cold Chain Logistics Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 - 2029)

Europe's Food Cold Chain Logistics Market Report is Segmented by Application (fruits and Vegetables, Meat and Seafood, Dairy and Frozen Dessert, Bakery and Confectionery, Ready-To-Eat Meal, and Other Applications), by Service Type (refrigerated Storage, Refrigerated Transport, Airways, Roadways, Seaways, Railways), by Geography (France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Spain, United Kingdom, and Rest of Europe). the Market Size and Forecasts for the European Food Cold Chain Logistics Market are Provided in Terms of Value (USD) for all the Above Segments.

Europe Food Cold Chain Logistics Market Size

Europe Food Cold Chain Logistics Market Summary
Study Period 2019 - 2029
Base Year For Estimation 2023
Market Size (2024) USD 68.55 Billion
Market Size (2029) USD 104.23 Billion
CAGR (2024 - 2029) 8.97 %
Market Concentration Medium

Major Players

Europe Food Cold Chain Logistics Market Major Players

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Compare market size and growth of Europe Food Cold Chain Logistics Market with other markets in Logistics Industry

Freight Transport

Freight Transportation Arrangement

Courier Express Parcel

Integrated Logistics

Cold Chain Logistics

Customers of Logistics Services

Europe Food Cold Chain Logistics Market Analysis

The Europe Food Cold Chain Logistics Market size is estimated at USD 68.55 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 104.23 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 8.97% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

In Europe, the market for cold chain services is expanding rapidly. A shift in the region's eating preferences has been a fundamental driver of the cold chain business in Europe.

The demand for fresh fruits and vegetables has steadily increased in Europe due to changes in consumer preferences and growth in health consequences. This led to an increase in the production and trade of fruits & vegetables, creating a need for efficient coal chain logistics. In addition, stringent regulations regarding food safety and quality standards have necessitated the use of cold chain logistics.

In January 2021, the European Union introduced new regulations to improve the quality and safety of organic products, which would impact the cold chain logistics for organic fruits and vegetables.

According to the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI), Europe has a population of more than 530 million consumers, and it accounted for more than USD 68.13 billion (EUR 62 billion), or 43% of the total global trade value of fresh fruit and vegetables in December 2022.

In addition, the European Union imported vegetable, fruit, and nut food preparations worth USD 6.96 billion in the year 2022, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database.

Furthermore, there has been an increase in focus on sustainability and reduction in the carbon footprint of cold chain logistics, leading to the development of eco-friendly solutions for preserving fruits and vegetables.

Europe Food Cold Chain Logistics Market Trends

Growth in penetration of the e-commerce industry

Consumers shifted to e-commerce channels by nearly 30 percent, accelerating the sector’s growth and creating challenges for traditional retailers, many of whom made significant investments to compete with pure-play online sellers.

While Europe’s leading economies like Norway, the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands already have eCommerce penetration rates of around 80% and higher, there is a lot of potential still to be tapped in smaller economies in the South and East like Greece, Portugal or Poland. On average, 62% of consumers in Europe used online shopping channels in 2022.

The B2C E-commerce market has been divided into B2C retailers and classifieds. The B2C merchant's type sector is likely to dominate the region's market with a forecasted value of USD 7,971 billion by 2030, representing an annual growth rate of 8%.

The 2022 European E-commerce Report encompasses 37 countries on the European continent, revealing data-driven insights into the current and projected size of their digital markets and consumer trends in internet use and e-shopping. For 2023, a more than solid plus of almost 30% is forecast on a year-on-year basis.

Europe Food Cold Chain Logistics Market : Venture capital investment in foodtech companies in Europe in 2022, by category, in million U.S. dollars

Increasing Demand of Refrigerated Logistics from the Retail Industry

Refrigerated trucking is a type of freight transport that focuses on the transportation of goods such as food and groceries that must be transported in a temperature-controlled environment. A refrigeration unit is put into trailers that haul food and other products to maintain all products in their original pre-shipped condition.

Refrigerated truck transportation can be utilized for a variety of products alongside foods that require temperature control. Other widely committed goods that rely on refrigerated shipping include plants, medications, and personal care products.

Germany is one of the largest markets for refrigerated vehicles in Europe. The country is a major importer & exporter of agricultural commodities and processed food & beverage products. The major export destinations from Germany are the US, France, the UK, and the Netherlands. The top import origins are the Netherlands, France, the US, and Italy. Germany primarily imports fruits & vegetables and dairy products.

Europe Food Cold Chain Logistics Market : Size of the cold chain logistics market in Europe from 2019 to 2025, in billion U.S. dollars

Europe Food Cold Chain Logistics Industry Overview

The European food cold chain logistics market is highly fragmented, with a mix of global and regional players dominating the industry. Some of the key players in the market are Americold Logistics, Lineage Logistics (Preferred Freezer Services), Nichirei Corporation, and VersaCold Logistics Services.

The cold chain industry offers several possibilities for both new and established firms to penetrate regions with significant export potential as well as those with fast-expanding domestic demand for frozen goods. To gain a solid footing in the global market, these companies are increasingly turning to growth, mergers, and acquisitions.

Europe Food Cold Chain Logistics Market Leaders

  1. Lineage Logistics

  2. NewCold Advanced Cold Logistics

  3. Constellation Cold Logistics

  4. Nichirei Logistics Europe

  5. Americold Logistics

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Europe Food Cold Chain Logistics Market Concentration
Need More Details on Market Players and Competitors?
Download PDF

Europe Food Cold Chain Logistics Market News

  • March 2023: Lineage Logistics announced the acquisition of a new facility in Belgium to expand its presence in the European market. This move is expected to increase the company's capacity for dairy and frozen products and improve its ability to serve customers across Europe.
  • February 2023: The EU-funded ICCEE project worked to overhaul cooling efficiency in this cold chain, focusing specifically on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). One of the main activities of the ICCEE project was to create a capacity-building program to improve the overall knowledge base and technological capabilities of Europe’s SMEs. This consisted of direct training, workshops, and seminars with external experts, along with the development of an e-learning platform.

Europe Food Cold Chain Logistics Market Report - Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION

  • 1.1 Study Deliverables
  • 1.2 Study Assumptions
  • 1.3 Scope of the Study

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

4. MARKET DYNAMICS

  • 4.1 Market Overview
  • 4.2 Market Drivers
    • 4.2.1 The rising consumption of frozen food
    • 4.2.2 Increasing Demand of Refrigerated Logistics from the Retail Industry
  • 4.3 Market Restraints
    • 4.3.1 Poor infrastructure and higher logistics costs
  • 4.4 Market Oppurtunities
    • 4.4.1 Surge in use of IT solutions & automated software for cold chain logistics.
  • 4.5 Value Chain / Supply Chain Analysis
  • 4.6 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
    • 4.6.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
    • 4.6.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
    • 4.6.3 Threat of New Entrants
    • 4.6.4 Threat of Substitute Products
    • 4.6.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
  • 4.7 Impact of COVID-19 on the market

5. MARKET SEGMENTATION

  • 5.1 By Application
    • 5.1.1 Fruits and Vegetables
    • 5.1.2 Meat and Seafood
    • 5.1.3 Dairy and Frozen Dessert
    • 5.1.4 Bakery and Confectionery
    • 5.1.5 Ready-to-Eat Meal
    • 5.1.6 Other Applications
  • 5.2 By Service Type
    • 5.2.1 Refrigerated Storage
    • 5.2.2 Refrigerated Transport
    • 5.2.3 Airways
    • 5.2.4 Roadways
    • 5.2.5 Seaways
    • 5.2.6 Railways
  • 5.3 Geography
    • 5.3.1 Europe
    • 5.3.1.1 Germany
    • 5.3.1.2 United Kingdom
    • 5.3.1.3 France
    • 5.3.1.4 Italy
    • 5.3.1.5 Russia
    • 5.3.1.6 Spain
    • 5.3.1.7 Rest of NA

6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

  • 6.1 Market Concentration Overview
  • 6.2 Company Profiles
    • 6.2.1 Lineage Logistics
    • 6.2.2 NewCold Advanced Cold Logistics
    • 6.2.3 Constellation Cold Logistics
    • 6.2.4 Nichirei Logistics Europe
    • 6.2.5 Magnavale Ltd.
    • 6.2.6 Frigolanda Logistics Group
    • 6.2.7 Frigo Warehousing
    • 6.2.8 Agro Merchants Group
    • 6.2.9 Americold Logistics
    • 6.2.10 Versacold Logistics Services.
    • 6.2.11 Gartner Kg*
  • *List Not Exhaustive

7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS

8. APPENDIX

** Subject To Availablity
You Can Purchase Parts Of This Report. Check Out Prices For Specific Sections
Get Price Break-up Now

Europe Food Cold Chain Logistics Industry Segmentation

Transport and storage of non-perishable goods requiring controlled and low-temperature conditions (e.g., art objects) are usually not considered a Food Cold Chain. The Food Cold Chain includes various perishable products: fresh agricultural, frozen, and seafood.

A comprehensive background analysis of the European food Cold Chain Logistics Market, covering the current market trends, restraints, technological updates, and detailed information on various segments and the competitive landscape of the industry. The impact of COVID-19 has also been incorporated and considered during the study.

The European food cold chain logistics market is segmented by application (fruits and vegetables, meat and seafood, dairy and frozen dessert, bakery and confectionery, ready-to-eat meal, and other applications), by service type (refrigerated storage, refrigerated transport, airways, roadways, seaways, railways), by geography (France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Spain, United Kingdom, rest of Europe). 

The report offers market size and forecasts for the European food cold chain logistics market in value (USD) for all the above segments.

By Application Fruits and Vegetables
Meat and Seafood
Dairy and Frozen Dessert
Bakery and Confectionery
Ready-to-Eat Meal
Other Applications
By Service Type Refrigerated Storage
Refrigerated Transport
Airways
Roadways
Seaways
Railways
Geography Europe Germany
United Kingdom
France
Italy
Russia
Spain
Rest of NA
Need A Different Region Or Segment?
Customize Now

Europe Food Cold Chain Logistics Market Research Faqs

The Europe Food Cold Chain Logistics Market size is expected to reach USD 68.55 billion in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 8.97% to reach USD 104.23 billion by 2029.

In 2024, the Europe Food Cold Chain Logistics Market size is expected to reach USD 68.55 billion.

Lineage Logistics, NewCold Advanced Cold Logistics, Constellation Cold Logistics, Nichirei Logistics Europe and Americold Logistics are the major companies operating in the Europe Food Cold Chain Logistics Market.

In 2023, the Europe Food Cold Chain Logistics Market size was estimated at USD 62.91 billion. The report covers the Europe Food Cold Chain Logistics Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the Europe Food Cold Chain Logistics Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.

Europe Food Cold Chain Logistics Industry Report

Statistics for the 2024 Europe Food Cold Chain Logistics market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Europe Food Cold Chain Logistics analysis includes a market forecast outlook to for 2024 to 2029 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.

80% of our clients seek made-to-order reports. How do you want us to tailor yours?

Please enter a valid email id!

Please enter a valid message!

Europe Food Cold Chain Logistics Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 - 2029)