Market Trends of United States Refrigerated Trucking Industry
This section covers the major market trends shaping the US Refrigerated Trucking Market according to our research experts:
Consumer Demand for Packaged Foods is Surging
Packaged foods consumption is witnessing significant growth in the country, and the rising per capita consumer spending on frozen food in the United States is fueling the demand for refrigerated vehicles. Packaged food goods, such as rice, pasta, noodles, snacks, and canned food, have a long shelf life, thus boosting their sales. Product innovation, the launch of new products from private label businesses, and a significant shift from generic to premium items such as gluten-free and organic alternatives are boosting the consumption of packaged food in the country. In addition, with the younger generation acquiring more purchasing power, the sales of organic products in the United States were estimated to increase by 5-10% in 2022. The price difference between non-organic and organic foods has also decreased due to the increased availability of organic food.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused dramatic transformations in the food-spending habits of Americans. Consumers generally increased their spending on food at grocery stores and other retail food venues while decreasing their spending on food away from home. With modest pantry loading, at-home consumption of packaged food such as snacks, dairy products, prepared meals, and bakery goods increased.
Sales of drinks through on-trade channels declined significantly in 2020, most likely due to revenue loss caused by the temporary closure of restaurants, pubs, and bars during the pandemic. Even though the profitability fluctuated, sales of preserved and packaged goods increased. Packaged food giants started promoting their product sales through their online channels. In 2021, the sales of online packaged food in the country witnessed a growth rate of 12% compared to the previous year.
Strong Demand from the Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Industries
A refrigerated or insulated truck is typically used to deliver pharmaceutical products or medications. The significant reforms in the healthcare sector have created a way for new medicines to enter the market. Many pharmaceuticals must be kept within a specific temperature range to maintain efficiency. The increased production of these temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products creates opportunities for temperature-controlled transportation services.
The United States accounts for around 45% of the worldwide pharmaceutical market and 22% of the global output. US pharmaceutical output and sales were expected to increase in 2022 due to the ongoing global rollout of vaccines and pent-up demand for necessary and non-essential medical treatments. Pharmaceuticals are subject to federal laws and regulations concerning medicines' storage, transportation, and distribution. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets these rules to meet the increasing safety standards.
However, most technology providers are innovating new systems for safely handling temperature-sensitive biological products. Many patents have been registered in the US patent and trademark office. Technological innovations in these fields have created more products that need temperature-controlled environments to maintain their effectiveness. In 2021, the US spending on new brand medicines reached more than USD 46.4 billion, up by more than 140% compared to the previous year.
