Bulgaria Cold Chain Market Outlook to 2029

The report titled “Bulgaria Cold Chain Market Outlook to 2029 – By Market Structure, By Temperature Type, By End-User Industries (F&B, Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture), By Type of Storage and Transport, and By Region” provides a comprehensive analysis of the cold chain logistics market in Bulgaria. The report covers an overview and genesis of the industry, overall market size in terms of revenue, market segmentation, trends and developments, regulatory landscape, customer-level profiling, issues and challenges, and comparative landscape including competition scenario, cross comparison, opportunities and bottlenecks, and company profiling of major players in the Cold Chain Market. The report concludes with future market projections based on revenue, by market structure, temperature type, region, and success case studies highlighting the major opportunities and cautions.

Bulgaria Cold Chain Market Overview and Size

The Bulgaria cold chain market reached a valuation of BGN 540 million in 2023, driven by rising demand in the food and pharmaceutical sectors, increased exports of perishable goods, and a shift toward more organized logistics infrastructure. The market is characterized by major players such as Frigolog, DB Schenker Bulgaria, DHL Supply Chain, and Transpress Logistics. These companies are known for their extensive cold storage facilities, temperature-controlled transport services, and integrated supply chain solutions.

In 2023, Frigolog announced the expansion of its temperature-controlled warehouse in Sofia by an additional 6,000 sq.m. to cater to rising demand from food exporters and pharmaceutical distributors. Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna are key cold chain hubs due to their industrial zones, port access, and proximity to distribution corridors.

Market Size for Bulgaria Cold Chain Industry on the Basis of Revenue (BGN Million), 2018–2023

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Source: TraceData Research Analysis

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

• Surge in Perishable Exports: Bulgaria’s rising exports of dairy, meat, and fresh produce to EU nations and the Middle East are fueling the demand for reliable cold chain systems. In 2023, over 35% of Bulgaria’s agricultural exports required cold storage, prompting investments in both reefer transport and warehousing.

• Pharmaceutical Sector Growth: The Bulgarian pharmaceutical market has seen rapid expansion due to increased local manufacturing and rising import/export of biologics and temperature-sensitive drugs. In 2023, over 25% of pharmaceutical logistics required strict cold chain management, including 2–8°C and sub-zero segments.

• Regulatory Compliance: Stringent EU guidelines for food safety (such as HACCP, GDP for pharmaceuticals) are driving cold chain modernization. Operators are upgrading assets to meet compliance standards, which is opening new avenues for investment and international collaboration.

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

• High Operational Costs: Maintaining a reliable cold chain requires substantial investment in temperature-controlled vehicles, warehousing, and energy consumption. In Bulgaria, energy costs for cold storage facilities increased by approximately 18% in 2023 due to regional electricity price hikes. These rising costs reduce margins for logistics operators, particularly SMEs, and limit their capacity to scale operations or upgrade technologies.

• Fragmented Infrastructure: The cold chain infrastructure in Bulgaria remains unevenly developed, with a concentration of modern facilities in urban areas like Sofia and Plovdiv. Rural regions and border logistics corridors often lack advanced cold storage and transport capabilities. This gap has led to nearly 28% of perishables experiencing temperature excursions during transit or storage, according to a 2023 industry assessment.

• Skilled Workforce Shortage: There is a shortage of trained personnel to manage temperature-sensitive logistics, especially in remote regions. Cold chain operations require knowledge in temperature calibration, pharma-grade handling, and real-time monitoring systems. In 2023, nearly 40% of surveyed cold chain logistics firms cited workforce capability as a critical constraint to quality and compliance.

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

• EU-Compliant Food and Pharma Safety Regulations: Bulgaria follows strict EU directives such as the General Food Law (EC 178/2002) and Good Distribution Practice (GDP) for pharmaceuticals. These standards mandate real-time temperature logging, route traceability, and certified cold storage. In 2023, 85% of GDP audits for pharma distributors in Bulgaria revealed full or partial compliance, up from 70% in 2021.

• Subsidies for Cold Chain Infrastructure: Through EU Cohesion Funds and the Bulgarian Ministry of Agriculture’s programs, cold storage and logistics companies have access to infrastructure development grants. In 2023, over BGN 45 million was allocated to improve cold warehousing and reefer truck networks under the Rural Development Programme.

• National Strategy for Logistics Modernization (2022–2027): This government initiative focuses on enhancing Bulgaria’s logistics competitiveness, including the development of cold chain corridors and integration with EU digital logistics platforms. One of the key targets is reducing spoilage rates of perishables in transit by 30% by 2027. Initial pilot projects launched in 2023 across Varna and Burgas ports have shown promising results in reefer container tracking.

Bulgaria Cold Chain Market Segmentation

• By Market Structure: The Bulgaria cold chain market is largely dominated by unorganized and small to mid-sized operators who cater to local food producers and regional distributors. These players operate with limited technology integration but offer competitive pricing and personalized logistics support. However, organized players—including international 3PLs and temperature-controlled logistics specialists—are gradually increasing their footprint due to demand for compliance, real-time monitoring, and service reliability, especially in the pharmaceutical and export sectors.

• By Temperature Type: Chilled storage (0°C to +5°C) accounts for a major share due to its high usage in dairy, meat, and fresh produce transportation. Frozen storage (below -18°C) follows, driven by processed foods, seafood exports, and vaccines. Ultra-low temperature segments (below -40°C) remain niche but are growing in pharmaceutical logistics, especially with the rise in biologics and mRNA-based vaccine distribution.

• By End-Use Industry: The food and beverage industry is the largest user of cold chain services in Bulgaria, driven by domestic consumption and exports to EU nations. Pharmaceuticals form the second-largest segment due to stringent EU GDP standards and increased movement of vaccines and biologics. The agriculture sector—especially in fruits, berries, and vegetables—also relies heavily on cold storage during harvest and post-harvest periods.

Competitive Landscape in Bulgaria Cold Chain Market

The Bulgaria cold chain market is moderately fragmented, with a mix of international 3PL companies, regional logistics firms, and specialized cold chain providers. However, growing regulatory compliance, EU export demand, and pharma-grade requirements are encouraging consolidation and the rise of tech-integrated logistics companies. Key players in the market include Frigolog, Transpress, DB Schenker Bulgaria, DHL Supply Chain, and Speedy AD.

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

• Frigolog: A domestic leader in temperature-controlled storage and transport, Frigolog expanded its Sofia facility by 6,000 sq.m. in 2023. The company’s investments in IoT-based temperature monitoring systems have positioned it as a go-to partner for pharma and food exporters seeking GDP-compliant logistics.

• DB Schenker Bulgaria: An international logistics provider, DB Schenker launched a new cold chain consolidation hub in Plovdiv in 2023, aimed at optimizing cross-border reefer truck movements within the EU. The company has also integrated blockchain tracking in key pharmaceutical routes.

• DHL Supply Chain: DHL Supply Chain continues to strengthen its Bulgarian cold logistics offering, especially for clinical trials and vaccines. In 2023, it reported a 28% increase in demand for controlled temperature storage, primarily driven by pharma exports to Germany and the Netherlands.

• Transpress: A prominent national logistics company, Transpress entered the frozen foods segment in 2023 by launching 20 new reefer trucks and 3 regional cold hubs. Its focus on quick commerce logistics and regional grocery delivery has gained traction in cities like Varna and Plovdiv.

• Speedy AD: Primarily known for parcel delivery, Speedy AD has been scaling up its refrigerated courier services for urban B2B customers in F&B and e-commerce segments. In 2023, it recorded a 19% increase in cold chain shipments, aided by investments in hybrid delivery vans and route optimization tools.

What Lies Ahead for Bulgaria Cold Chain Market?

The Bulgaria cold chain market is expected to witness steady growth through 2029, supported by EU compliance mandates, increasing exports of perishables, rising demand in pharma logistics, and the modernization of cold storage infrastructure. The market is projected to grow at a healthy CAGR during the forecast period.

• Expansion of Pharmaceutical Cold Chain Logistics: As Bulgaria continues to emerge as a strategic hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing and clinical trials within Eastern Europe, the demand for precise cold chain logistics—especially for biologics and vaccines—is expected to rise. Companies will increasingly invest in GDP-compliant storage and 2–8°C or sub-zero temperature transport systems.

• Rise of Automation and IoT in Cold Storage: Cold chain operators in Bulgaria are anticipated to accelerate the adoption of automation, RFID tracking, and IoT-based monitoring systems to enhance operational efficiency and regulatory compliance. These technologies will reduce temperature excursions and improve inventory traceability, especially in pharma and export-oriented food sectors.

• Growth of Organized Cold Chain Infrastructure: With EU support and rising private investment, Bulgaria will see a shift from fragmented, unorganized cold storage operations to modern, centralized logistics parks. New cold chain corridors connecting Sofia, Plovdiv, and Burgas with Western Europe are expected to drive integration and reduce spoilage rates.

• Increasing Demand from Quick Commerce & E-Grocery: The growth of online grocery delivery platforms and ready-to-eat food brands in urban Bulgaria is driving demand for efficient last-mile cold delivery systems. Investment in refrigerated vans and small-scale urban distribution hubs is projected to rise significantly by 2029.

Bulgaria Cold Chain Market Segmentation

• By Market Structure:
o    Unorganized Operators
o    Organized Cold Chain 3PLs
o    Integrated Logistics Service Providers
o    Independent Cold Storage Providers
o    Temperature-Controlled Transport Companies
o    Reefer Container Logistics
o    Urban Last-Mile Cold Delivery

• By Temperature Type:
o    Chilled (0°C to +5°C)
o    Frozen (Below -18°C)
o    Sub-Zero / Ultra-Low (Below -40°C)
o    Ambient Controlled (15°C to 25°C)

• By End-Use Industry:
o    Food & Beverage
o    Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences
o    Agriculture & Horticulture
o    Retail & E-Commerce
o    Hospitality & HoReCa Sector
o    Chemical & Industrial Applications

• By Type of Storage & Transport:
o    Cold Storage Warehouses
o    Refrigerated Trucks (Short-Haul and Long-Haul)
o    Reefer Containers (Sea Freight)
o    Pharma-Grade Storage (GDP-Compliant)
o    Urban Cold Chain Vans

• By Region:
o    Sofia
o    Plovdiv
o    Varna
o    Burgas
o    Rural North Bulgaria
o    South Central Industrial Belt

Players Mentioned in the Report:

• Frigolog
• DB Schenker Bulgaria
• DHL Supply Chain
• Transpress
• Speedy AD
• EuroSpeed Logistics
• Balkan Cold Chain Ltd.
• Kuehne + Nagel Bulgaria

Key Target Audience:

• Cold Chain Logistics Operators
• F&B Exporters and Processors
• Pharma Manufacturers & Distributors
• Retailers & E-Grocery Platforms
• Urban Logistics & Delivery Startups
• Reefer Equipment Providers
• Government & Regulatory Bodies (e.g., Bulgarian Food Safety Agency, Ministry of Transport)
• Investment & Infrastructure Funds
• Market Research and Feasibility Analysts

Time Period:

• Historical Period: 2018–2023
• Base Year: 2024
• Forecast Period: 2024–2029