Australia Cold Chain Market Outlook to 2029

The report titled “Australia Cold Chain Market Outlook to 2029 – By Market Structure (Organized and Unorganized), By Type (Cold Storage and Cold Transportation), By Application (Fruits & Vegetables, Dairy, Meat & Seafood, Pharmaceuticals, Bakery and Others), and By Region” provides a comprehensive analysis of the cold chain logistics market in Australia. The report covers the industry’s overview and genesis, overall market size in terms of revenue, market segmentation, key trends and developments, regulatory landscape, customer-level profiling, issues and challenges, and competitive benchmarking including cross comparison, market share, and profiles of major players in the cold chain industry. The report concludes with future market projections based on revenue, end-use sectors, and regions, while also analyzing key drivers, bottlenecks, and success stories across the market.

Australia Cold Chain Market Overview and Size

The Australia cold chain market reached a valuation of AUD 8.2 Billion in 2023, propelled by the rising demand for temperature-sensitive goods, strict regulatory standards, and expanding food exports. The market is characterized by key players such as Lineage Logistics, Americold, NewCold, Rand Refrigerated Logistics, Linfox, and SCG Logistics, which are known for their advanced storage infrastructure, fleet capabilities, and end-to-end cold supply chain services.

In 2023, Lineage Logistics expanded its footprint by launching a new state-of-the-art cold storage facility in Brisbane, with automation and renewable energy integrations. This development underscores the growing role of technology and sustainability in shaping the future of Australia's cold chain sector. Major hubs include New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland, owing to their concentration of food processing, export activity, and population.

Market Size for Australia Cold Chain Industry on the Basis of Revenues in USD Million, 2018-2024

What Factors are Leading to the Growth of Australia Cold Chain Market:

• Rising Food and Pharma Exports: Australia’s exports of meat, seafood, dairy, and pharmaceuticals have seen consistent growth. In 2023, exports of perishable goods grew by 6.4%, necessitating reliable cold chain solutions to meet international quality standards.

• Stringent Regulatory Standards: The Australian government enforces strict compliance with HACCP and GDP guidelines for the storage and transport of temperature-sensitive goods, encouraging investments in cold chain infrastructure.

• Retail and E-commerce Boom in Perishables: Online grocery sales in Australia rose by 18% in 2023, with a growing share of frozen and chilled foods. This trend has created demand for integrated cold supply chain logistics that serve B2B and direct-to-consumer segments.

Which Industry Challenges Have Impacted the Growth for Australia Cold Chain Market

• Infrastructure Gaps in Rural and Remote Areas: Despite strong infrastructure in urban centers, limited cold storage and transport availability in remote regions such as Northern Territory and Western Australia remains a key bottleneck. Approximately 29% of food wastage in rural supply chains has been attributed to inadequate cold chain infrastructure, according to industry estimates in 2023. This has impacted the consistent supply of perishables across the country.

• High Energy and Operating Costs: Cold storage and refrigerated logistics are energy-intensive. The average energy cost per cubic meter of refrigerated storage in Australia is among the highest in APAC. In 2023, energy costs contributed to 22–28% of total operational expenses for cold storage facilities, leading to thin margins for service providers and higher prices for end-users.

• Skilled Labor Shortage and Compliance Gaps: Managing temperature-controlled logistics requires trained personnel. However, a national shortage of certified cold chain operators and transport technicians is affecting service quality and regulatory compliance. In 2023, 15% of inspected logistics firms reported minor-to-critical non-compliance with FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) protocols.

What are the Regulations and Initiatives which have Governed the Market:

• Cold Chain Guidelines by FSANZ: The Food Standards Code enforced by FSANZ mandates strict protocols for the storage and transport of perishable goods. This includes defined temperature ranges, real-time monitoring, and audit trails. In 2023, over 80% of cold chain operators in major cities complied with FSANZ rules, though rural compliance remains a concern.

• Biosecurity and Export Standards: Australia enforces rigorous cold chain handling norms for meat, seafood, and pharma products bound for export markets. Export establishments must be registered and audited under DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry). These requirements have made compliance a precondition for international market access, particularly in China, Japan, and the Middle East.

• Incentives for Sustainable Cold Chain Investments: The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) are promoting green cold storage projects through grants and concessional loans. In 2023, over AUD 45 million was allocated to solar-powered refrigeration and energy-efficient warehouse upgrades, aimed at reducing emissions from the cold logistics sector.

Australia Cold Chain Market Segmentation

• By Market Structure: Organized players dominate the market, driven by investments in automation, compliance, and nationwide networks. These include global and domestic giants such as Lineage Logistics, Americold, and Linfox, which offer integrated cold storage and transport solutions. Their adoption of IoT-enabled monitoring, standardized SOPs, and energy-efficient operations appeals to large food producers and pharma exporters. In contrast, unorganized players are prominent in regional and last-mile delivery markets, particularly in peri-urban areas. They typically lack end-to-end capabilities and operate with minimal tech integration, focusing on cost-sensitive clients and local distribution of perishable items.

• By Type: Cold Storage constitutes a major share of the market, particularly in regions like Victoria and Queensland, which serve as hubs for food processing and exports. These facilities include blast freezers, chillers, and controlled-atmosphere warehouses used for long-term storage. Cold Transportation, including refrigerated trucks, vans, and rail-based movement, is rapidly growing due to the rise in fresh grocery delivery, pharma logistics, and meat exports. The segment has seen higher growth rates in the past two years owing to the expansion of e-commerce and inter-state supply chains.

• By Application: The food sector remains the largest end-user of cold chain services. Within this, meat & seafood dominate, given Australia’s global leadership in beef and lamb exports. Dairy products and bakery items follow, driven by the domestic retail and QSR segment. The pharmaceutical cold chain has also seen accelerated growth post-COVID, particularly with temperature-controlled vaccine storage and biologics handling gaining traction.

Competitive Landscape in Australia Cold Chain Market

The Australia cold chain market is moderately consolidated, with several large-scale logistics companies and specialized cold chain providers leading the sector. However, the entry of technology-driven players and sustainability-focused warehousing solutions has introduced greater competition and diversification in services. Companies such as Lineage Logistics, Americold, NewCold, Rand Refrigerated Logistics, Linfox, SCG Logistics, and AHG Refrigerated Logistics are prominent in the market, offering end-to-end cold chain infrastructure and integrated transport networks.

Some of the recent competitor trends and key information about competitors include:

• Lineage Logistics: In 2023, Lineage commissioned a new automated cold storage facility in Brisbane, featuring high-density racking and real-time monitoring systems. The facility, one of the largest in Australia, focuses on reducing energy use by over 30% compared to conventional designs.

• Americold: Leveraging its global footprint, Americold expanded its Australian network with additional investments in Victoria. The company introduced AI-based temperature analytics in 2023, enhancing cold chain integrity across its pharma and food logistics verticals.

• NewCold: Known for its cutting-edge automated high-bay warehouses, NewCold has rapidly scaled operations in Sydney and Melbourne. In 2023, it signed major contracts with leading frozen food brands and expanded its fleet for last-mile cold deliveries.

• Rand Refrigerated Logistics: A legacy provider with deep roots in temperature-controlled transport, Rand upgraded its vehicle tracking and temperature calibration systems in 2023. The firm remains a preferred partner for national supermarket chains.

• Linfox: One of Australia's largest logistics companies, Linfox invested heavily in green refrigeration technologies and partnered with local councils to pilot solar-powered refrigerated units. The move supports its sustainability roadmap for 2030.

• SCG Logistics: A fast-growing player, SCG Logistics has focused on the pharmaceutical cold chain, expanding its GDP-certified storage in New South Wales. In 2023, the company reported a 40% YoY increase in demand for vaccine and biologics logistics.

• AHG Refrigerated Logistics: With a strong presence in Western Australia, AHG continues to dominate the west coast market. In 2023, it rolled out an upgraded cold chain visibility dashboard for its enterprise clients, ensuring real-time cargo temperature compliance.

What Lies Ahead for Australia Cold Chain Market?

The Australia cold chain market is projected to experience sustained growth through 2029, backed by strong demand from the agri-food and pharmaceutical sectors, evolving regulatory standards, and technology-led efficiency improvements. The market is expected to register a robust CAGR, driven by expansion in regional infrastructure, rising e-commerce in perishables, and export-focused initiatives.

• Increased Demand for Export-Grade Infrastructure: With Australia targeting higher food and pharma exports to Asia-Pacific, there will be a significant push toward upgrading cold storage facilities to meet international compliance standards. Markets such as China, Japan, and South Korea are expected to drive demand for high-integrity cold chains with stringent temperature control protocols.

• Technology Integration and IoT Monitoring: The adoption of IoT sensors, automated warehousing systems, and real-time monitoring dashboards is expected to rise sharply. These technologies will enable predictive maintenance, product-level tracking, and compliance assurance, improving operational efficiency and reducing spoilage.

• Emergence of Green and Energy-Efficient Cold Chains: Environmental sustainability is becoming a key priority for both public and private stakeholders. The market is likely to see broader deployment of solar-powered refrigeration units, green refrigerants, and energy-efficient HVAC systems, supported by government grants and carbon reduction goals.

• Pharma and Vaccine Logistics Expansion: The pharmaceutical segment—especially for biologics, clinical trial samples, and vaccines—is expected to grow significantly. Increased R&D activity and biotech investment will demand GDP-compliant cold chain infrastructure across research hubs such as Sydney and Melbourne.

Future Outlook and Projections for Australia Cold Chain Market on the Basis of Revenues in USD Million, 2024-2029

Australia Cold Chain Market Segmentation

• By Market Structure:

  • Organized Sector

  • Unorganized Sector

  • National Cold Chain Operators

  • Regional/Local Logistics Providers

  • Asset-Light 3PL Companies

  • Vertically Integrated Cold Chain Providers

• By Type:

  • Cold Storage Warehouses

  • Cold Transportation (Refrigerated Trucks & Vans)

  • Reefer Rail Services

  • Intermodal Cold Chain Solutions

• By Application:

  • Meat & Seafood

  • Fruits & Vegetables

  • Dairy Products

  • Bakery & Confectionery

  • Pharmaceuticals & Biologics

  • Frozen Ready-to-Eat Meals

  • Floral & Horticulture

• By Temperature Range:

  • Chilled (0°C to 8°C)

  • Frozen (-18°C and below)

  • Controlled Ambient (15°C to 25°C)

• By Region:

  • New South Wales

  • Victoria

  • Queensland

  • South Australia

  • Western Australia

  • Tasmania

  • Northern Territory

Players Mentioned in the Report:

• Americold Logistics
• Karras Cold Logistics
• Global Cold Chain Solutions (GCCS)
• Auscold Logistics Pty Ltd
• ChillFreeze Logistics & Storage
• NewCold Advanced Cold Logistics
• Lineage Logistics
• MFR Cool Logistics
• AGRO Merchants Group
• PakCan
• Kerry Logistics Cold Chain
• AustraCold
• Cold Chain Logistics Australia
• Chill
• Cryosite
• Sands Fridge Lines
• CTI Logistics
• Cold Chain Australia Pty Ltd
• ColdRex (Cold Regional Express)
• Race Refrigerated Logistics

Key Target Audience:

• Cold Chain Logistics Providers

• Refrigerated Storage Facility Operators

• Perishable Food Exporters

• Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Distributors

• Regulatory Agencies (e.g., FSANZ, DAFF)

• Technology Providers for Temperature Monitoring

• Renewable Energy Consultants (Cold Chain Sustainability Projects)

• Investors and Infrastructure Funds

Time Period:

• Historical Period: 2018–2023

• Base Year: 2024

• Forecast Period: 2024–2029