North America Food Cold Chain Logistics Market

North America Food Cold Chain Logistics Market Analysis

The North America Food Cold Chain Logistics Market size is estimated at USD 86.67 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 119.82 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of greater than 6.69% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

• In North America, the market for cold chain services is expanding rapidly, bolstered by its robust infrastructure, cutting-edge technology, and heightened demand for perishables. Collaborations among food manufacturers, packaging suppliers, and tech providers can enhance product development, streamline supply chains, and broaden market reach. For instance, Partnerships like CPKC and DP World open fresh growth avenues for Americold, integrating a comprehensive supply chain solution approach with their established customer-centric strategy, as highlighted by Nariet in June 2024.
• This has accelerated the region's need for food goods such as meat, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. Because these items are temperature sensitive, they must be kept and delivered in cold chains.Consumers are increasingly looking for fresh, healthful, and locally sourced meals, and they are ready to pay a premium for high-quality goods.
• For instance, PepsiCo, Inc. has established a strong global footprint, strategically spanning several continents. In North America, it leads the market with its renowned brands, including Pepsi and Lay’s. In April 2024, after receiving a notification from the FDA, PepsiCo took the proactive step of recalling certain batches of Schweppes Ginger Ale, which were labeled as “sugar-free” and “caffeine-free.”
• Furthermore, the expansion of the e-commerce sector is another element fueling the growth of the US Food cold chain industry. For instance, Groupe Robert, a 3PL provider, offers comprehensive services to clients throughout North America. Responding to the surging cold chain demands of their clientele and driven by a strategic business vision, they collaborated with Dematic to establish a facility aimed at boosting capacity, reducing operational costs, and enhancing sustainability, as highlighted by SDC Executive in April 2024.

North America Food Cold Chain Logistics Market Trends

The rising consumption of frozen food

Frozen food businesses have adeptly responded to consumer preferences by launching products that are low in trans fats, low in overall fat content, multigrain, whole wheat, and minimal in chemical preservatives. The North American frozen ready meals sector is primarily fueled by a rising appetite for affordable, high-quality frozen pizzas and convenient breakfast options. Research indicates that North America stands out as one of the globe's pivotal frozen food markets.

In January 2024, Tyson Foods, one of the leading player in the frozen food arena, inaugurated a state-of-the-art 355 million USD production facility in Bowling Green, Kentucky, with a focus on amplifying its bacon production capacity. This strategic initiative not only solidifies Tyson Foods’ leadership stance in the category but also positions the company to capitalize on the surging market demand for its offerings.

Consumers are increasingly opting for frozen fruits and vegetables, granting them the luxury of savoring seasonal delights year-round. Advancements in cold chain infrastructure across North America are further propelling this industry. When it comes to country-specific growth, the United States leads as the top income generator, trailed by Mexico and Canada. In January 2024, entertainment icon Dolly Parton collaborated with Conagra Brands to launch a new line of retail food products. The primary impetus driving North America's frozen food industry is the demand for convenience; these products significantly reduce cooking, preparation, and cleanup time for consumers.

As consumers juggle busy lifestyles and demanding work schedules, there's been a notable uptick in the consumption of convenience foods, including ready-to-eat (RTE) and ready-to-cook (RTC) items, mixed vegetables, and meals. This shift has subsequently spurred a heightened demand for frozen vegetables in North America. Moreover, the surging trend of veganism is further bolstering the appetite for frozen vegetables in North America. Consequently, as more consumers gravitate towards fruits and vegetables, there's been a pronounced uptick in the demand for their frozen counterparts.

Surge in demand for Refrigerated Storage and Cross-Border Trade in U.S.-Mexico

Driven by the surging demand for temperature-sensitive products like fresh produce, dairy, meat, and seafood, the market for refrigerated storage is witnessing robust growth. This trend has spurred the expansion of a lucrative cold chain along pivotal U.S.-Mexico trade routes, with experts predicting sustained momentum.

Cross-border trade sees Mexico predominantly exporting fresh and frozen produce led by avocados, tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers northward, while the U.S. sends beef, dairy, chicken, and pork southward. While 2024 has seen a slight deceleration in commerce, both sides celebrated record trade figures in 2022 and 2023, For instance, In 2023, the United States engaged in trade with Mexico, exchanging goods valued at nearly 799 billion U.S. dollars.

Intermodal transport is gaining traction in cross-border trade. A year ago, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) launched MMX, a dedicated rail service for refrigerated shipping from the Midwest to Mexico. Shortly after, CPKC joined forces with Americold Realty Trust, integrating Americold's warehouse facilities into the CPKC network. The inaugural facility in Kansas City, Mo., is currently under construction, with completion anticipated within a year, and more facilities are planned. To bolster capacity, CPKC is also erecting a second span of the international rail bridge in Laredo, slated to be operational by the end of 2024.

In conclusion, the refrigerated storage market and cross-border trade between the U.S. and Mexico continue to evolve, driven by increasing demand for temperature-sensitive products and innovative transport solutions. This growth trajectory is expected to persist, fostering further advancements in the cold chain infrastructure.

North America Food Cold Chain Logistics Industry Overview

The North American 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, Kloosterboer Group B.V., 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.

North America Food Cold Chain Logistics Market Leaders

North America Food Cold Chain Logistics Market News

• June 2024: Americold’s collaboration with Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) to co-locate Americold warehouse facilities on the CPKC rail network, alongside its development of a global cold chain logistics platform starting in Dubai in conjunction with DP World, are expected to generate between USD 500 million and USD 1 billion in development opportunities for the REIT in coming years.
• April 2024: McCain Foods has bolstered its collaboration with Strong Roots, a frozen food producer based in Dublin. This move underscores McCain's dedication to "fixing the freezer aisle." The partnership aims to broaden the reach of the Strong Roots brand, introducing a wider array of eco-friendly, vegetable-centric products. This expansion targets the growing demographic of consumers seeking healthier, natural, and flavorful meals featuring genuine vegetables.