North America Cold Chain Market Summary

The North America cold chain market was valued at USD 96.55 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.1% from 2023 to 2030. The market's strong growth is fueled by shifting consumer preferences toward fresh and frozen foods, a rise in e-commerce penetration, and the expansion of automated refrigerated warehouses. The growing adoption of connected devices and smart automation technologies is expected to enhance the performance and reliability of cold chain systems across the region.

The expansion of organized retail chains in emerging economies also supports the rising need for cold chain solutions. These retail formats have improved access to fresh and frozen foods, creating a greater requirement for refrigerated transportation and storage to maintain product quality. Another important driver is the growing investment in IT infrastructure across refrigerated logistics operations. Technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), radio-frequency identification (RFID), and cloud-based systems help operators track inventory in real time, minimize spoilage, prevent recalls, and improve operational efficiency.

Key Market Trends & Insights

• Based on type, the market is segmented into storage, transportation, and monitoring components. Among these, the storage segment dominated in 2022 with a market share of 61.7 percent. Refrigerated storage facilities are used for storing perishable items like meat, fish, dairy products, and fruits and vegetables in a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment to maintain freshness.
• Based on packaging, the market is divided into products and materials. The product segment led the overall market with a revenue share of 67.8 percent in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 18.2 percent during the forecast period. Packaging products such as crates, insulated containers, cold packs, temperature-controlled pallet shippers, and labels are crucial in protecting goods during cold chain transportation and storage.
• Based on application, the market is classified into fruits and vegetables, dairy products, processed food, fruit and pulp concentrates, fish, meat and seafood, pharmaceuticals, bakery and confectioneries, and others. The fish, meat and seafood segment held the largest market share of 20.5 percent in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.4 percent. The need to preserve freshness, texture, and nutritional quality of these products is contributing to strong demand for cold chain solutions.
• The United States dominated the North America cold chain market with a revenue share of 71.1 percent in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 15.8 percent through 2030. This includes the transportation, storage, and distribution of temperature-sensitive products such as food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals. Rising consumer preference for fresh, local, and high-quality products has led to increased investments in cold logistics infrastructure.
• The rise of e-commerce is another key factor driving market growth in the United States. With more consumers opting for online purchases, especially in food and pharmaceutical segments, logistics providers are enhancing their cold chain capabilities to ensure timely and secure deliveries.
• The Canadian cold chain market is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 20.0 percent over the forecast period. Growth is being fueled by export expansion, demographic changes, and adoption of smart cold chain technologies such as real-time tracking and digital temperature monitoring, which improve storage and distribution efficiency for perishable items.

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Market Size & Forecast

• 2022 Market Size: USD 96.55 billion
• 2030 Projected Market Size: USD 333.96 billion
• CAGR (2023-2030): 17.1%
• US.: Largest market in 2022

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Leading companies in the market include Americold Logistics, Inc.; Burris Logistics; Lineage Logistics Holding, LLC; Wabash National Corporation; United States Refrigerated Storage; and Cold Box. These firms are leveraging consumer insights, product analytics, and automation to enhance their offerings. In July 2020, Lineage Logistics acquired Ontario Refrigerated Services, Inc., expanding its footprint in Canada. In May 2020, Americold Logistics and Ahold Delhaize USA partnered to build two fully automated frozen warehouses in Plainville, Connecticut, each covering 500,000 square feet.

Key Players

• Americold Logistics, Inc.,
• Burris Logistics
• LINEAGE LOGISTICS HOLDING, LLC
• Wabash National Corporation
• United States Refrigerated Storage
• Tippmann Group
• NFI Industries
• Penske
• Seafrigo Group
• NewCold
• CONESTOGA REFRIGERATED STORAGE
• Sonoc ThermoSafe (Sonoco Products Company)

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Conclusion

The North America cold chain market is witnessing remarkable growth due to rising demand for fresh and frozen foods, expansion of e-commerce, and technological advancements in refrigeration and inventory management. Increasing IT investment and real-time tracking systems are helping reduce spoilage, ensuring product safety, and improving logistics efficiency. While the United States remains the dominant market, Canada is emerging as a fast-growing player, supported by exports and innovations. The cold chain sector’s evolution is shaped by digital transformation and shifting consumer expectations, making it critical for companies to invest in automation and scalable infrastructure to stay competitive in the rapidly advancing supply chain landscape.