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

Central and Eastern Europe Cold Chain Logistics Market Analysis

The Central And Eastern Europe Cold Chain Logistics Market size is estimated at USD 21.66 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 29.56 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of greater than 5% during the forecast period (2024-2029).

Initially, when lockdown measures driven by the COVID-19 pandemic started in March 2020, consumers began panic buying and stockpiling items, with a focus on shelf-stable products. This reduced reefer trucking demands in the EU during Q1 and Q2 2020. The tourist accommodation industry in the EU also saw a sharp decline due to travel restrictions in March and April 2020, which also impacted the expected seasonal demand for reefer goods. However, the situation eased and demand picked up slowly over the next few weeks due to increased sales of alcohol and other beverages.

Labor shortages, increasing energy costs, market consolidation, and a reconfiguration in global food supply chains are some of the challenges in the European cold chain warehousing sector. Labor and energy are the two dominant cost components at European facilities. In 2020, labor accounted for 44% of total costs, with energy accounting for 15%. Covid-19 has pushed food companies to rethink their supply chain designs. The war in Ukraine and subsequent sanctions have accelerated this process.

Because the reconfigured supply chains will change where materials and products are stored, the cold storage sector is directly impacted. Many food companies have opted for just-in-case because the sector has seen a rise in occupancy rates - up to 90%.

Monitoring, storage, and transportation are important factors in the cold chain to avoid degradation in the quality of shipments. Cold chain logistics are anticipated to witness significant growth over the years, owing to the rise in the need for cold chain logistics in the pharmaceutical industry. At present, Germany dominates the market. The Europe cold chain logistics market is driven by growing penetration of e-commerce in the industry, changing lifestyles, increasing tech-driven logistics services, rising number of the refrigerated warehouse, and the growing pharmaceutical sector.

Central and Eastern Europe Cold Chain Logistics Market Trends

Pharmaceutical Industry Driving the Growth of the Market

Central and Eastern Europe Cold Chain Logistics Industry Segmentation

Cold chain logistics consists of the storage and transportation of temperature-sensitive products along the supply chain by using thermal refrigerated packaging methods and logistical planning so that the integrity of these shipments is protected. Cold chain products are transported through various means such as refrigerated railcars & trucks, reefers & air cargos, refrigerated cargo ships, and others. Major elements of cold chain logistics consist of cooling systems, cold storage, cold transport, and cold processing & distribution.

The Central and Eastern Europe Cold Chain Logistics Market is segmented by service, temperature, application, and geography. By service, the market is segmented into storage, transportation, and value-added services. By temperature, the market is segmented into chilled and frozen. By application, the market is segmented into fruits and vegetables, dairy products, fish, meat and poultry, processed food, pharmaceutical, bakery and confectionery, and other applications. By geography, the market is segmented into Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and the Rest of Central and Eastern Europe.