Chile Cold Chain Market Outlook to 2029

The report titled “Chile Cold Chain Market Outlook to 2029 – By Type (Cold Storage and Cold Transport), By Application (Dairy, Fruits & Vegetables, Meat & Seafood, Pharmaceuticals), By Temperature Type (Chilled and Frozen), By Region (Northern, Central, and Southern Chile)” provides a comprehensive analysis of the cold chain industry in Chile. The report covers an overview and genesis of the industry, overall market size in terms of revenue, market segmentation, trends and developments, regulatory framework, 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 service type, application, temperature, region, and success case studies highlighting the major opportunities and key risk factors.

Chile Cold Chain Market Overview and Size

The Chile cold chain market reached a valuation of USD 2.5 billion in 2023, driven by growing demand for fresh and frozen food, increasing exports of perishables, and rising pharmaceutical logistics needs. Major players include Frigorífico Simunovic, Emergent Cold LatAm, Friosan, and Transportes Flores. These companies have built robust infrastructure in warehousing and temperature-controlled transport services across the country.

In 2023, Emergent Cold LatAm announced expansion in Santiago, adding new cold storage facilities to meet rising demand in the Central region. Southern Chile, with its strong seafood export base, is emerging as a key logistics hub.

Market Size for Chile Cold Chain Industry on the Basis of Revenue (USD Billion), 2018–2023

Source: TraceData Research Analysis

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

• Export-Oriented Economy: Chile is one of the top exporters of seafood, fruits, and vegetables, requiring robust cold chain infrastructure. In 2023, fresh fruit exports alone crossed USD 5.8 billion, contributing significantly to cold logistics demand. Exporters rely on temperature-controlled facilities to preserve quality and comply with international standards.

• Rising Urban Consumption of Perishables: With increased urbanization and shifting dietary preferences toward fresh and ready-to-cook meals, demand for cold chain services has surged in urban centers such as Santiago, Valparaíso, and Concepción. Chilean retail and e-grocery channels are expanding their cold chain needs, especially in chilled dairy and meat categories.

• Pharma and Vaccine Logistics: The pharmaceutical sector, including vaccine distribution, has emerged as a key segment post-COVID-19. In 2023, pharma logistics contributed over 12% to the overall cold chain market, driven by regulatory compliance and rising healthcare needs in remote regions.

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

• Infrastructure Gaps in Remote Regions: Despite advancements in urban areas, cold chain infrastructure in remote and southern regions of Chile remains underdeveloped. According to TraceData estimates, nearly 30% of perishable goods transported to rural zones face spoilage risks due to lack of temperature-controlled last-mile facilities. This weak infrastructure continues to hinder efficient distribution and increases post-harvest losses.

• High Operational Costs: The cost of energy, refrigeration equipment, and skilled labor significantly elevates operating expenses in Chile’s cold chain market. In 2023, energy consumption for cold storage contributed nearly 20% to total operating costs, pushing smaller operators to the brink of unviability. These high costs are a critical constraint on scalability, particularly for SMEs and regional players.

• Skilled Workforce Shortage: The industry faces a talent gap in skilled refrigeration technicians, warehouse operators, and compliance managers. A national logistics workforce survey revealed that 42% of cold chain companies in Chile struggle to fill key technical roles, impacting service quality and uptime of refrigerated systems.

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

• Sanitary and Quality Control Regulations (SAG): The Chilean Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG) imposes strict quality control for exportable perishables, requiring specific temperature handling protocols and HACCP certifications. In 2023, over 85% of fresh fruit exporters were certified under SAG’s cold chain compliance framework, ensuring global competitiveness and reduced rejection rates.

• Cold Chain Standards for Pharma Logistics: The Ministry of Health mandates GDP (Good Distribution Practices) for temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, including vaccines and biologics. All pharmaceutical distributors must use validated cold chain equipment and maintain detailed temperature logs. By end-2023, nearly 70% of licensed pharma transporters were GDP-compliant.

• Port Logistics Modernization Programs: The Chilean government has invested in modernizing cold storage infrastructure at major ports like San Antonio and Valparaíso. In 2023, a USD 40 million public-private partnership expanded reefer container capacity by 18%, significantly reducing bottlenecks for perishable exports.

Chile Cold Chain Market Segmentation

• By Type of Service: Cold storage facilities account for a major share of the market due to Chile’s strong export dependency on perishable goods like fruits and seafood, which require long-term storage before shipping. These warehouses are often located near ports such as San Antonio and Valparaíso. Cold transportation services are also growing, driven by rising demand for last-mile refrigerated logistics, especially for pharma and dairy products. Fleet modernization with reefer trucks and containers is helping to boost reliability and market share.

• By Application: Fruits and vegetables lead the application segment due to Chile’s prominent position as a global exporter, especially of grapes, apples, and cherries. Meat and seafood follow, supported by strong aquaculture and livestock production in the southern region. Pharmaceutical logistics is a rapidly emerging segment, with growth driven by vaccine distribution and rising regulatory standards for temperature-sensitive medications.

• By Temperature Type: Frozen storage and transportation dominate the market, especially in the meat and seafood category, which require sub-zero preservation. Chilled segment usage is prominent for dairy, fruits, vegetables, and pharma products that need 2°C to 8°C storage. With growing consumption of fresh food and pharma regulations, the chilled segment is expected to witness faster growth over the next few years.

Competitive Landscape in Chile Cold Chain Market

The Chile cold chain market is moderately concentrated, with a mix of established logistics providers and emerging regional players. Major players such as Emergent Cold LatAm, Frigorífico Simunovic, Friosan, Transportes Flores, and Andes Logistics dominate due to their strong infrastructure, strategic locations near ports, and compliance with international cold chain standards. However, local and specialized firms are gaining traction by focusing on niche segments such as pharmaceutical distribution and seafood logistics.

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

• Emergent Cold LatAm: A major player in the Latin American cold storage sector, Emergent Cold expanded its Chilean footprint in 2023 by adding 12,000 pallet positions in a new cold facility in Santiago. The company focuses on integrated cold storage and transport solutions, especially for exports via Valparaíso and San Antonio ports.

• Frigorífico Simunovic: With a stronghold in southern Chile, this company specializes in seafood storage and processing. In 2023, it handled over 20% of frozen fish logistics volume in the Magallanes region, reinforcing its dominance in the seafood cold chain.

• Friosan: A key mid-sized player, Friosan operates temperature-controlled warehouses in the Central region. In 2023, the company introduced an advanced temperature monitoring system that reduced spoilage rates by 18% for fruits and vegetables.

• Transportes Flores: Known for its nationwide cold transport fleet, the company reported a 22% increase in demand from pharmaceutical clients in 2023. The company recently partnered with a Santiago-based vaccine distributor to enhance its pharma cold chain coverage.

• Andes Logistics: Focused on multimodal logistics for perishable exports, Andes Logistics reported a 30% YoY growth in refrigerated container services. Their strategic alliances with port authorities and exporters have positioned them as a preferred partner for fruit exporters.

What Lies Ahead for Chile Cold Chain Market?

The Chile cold chain market is projected to experience steady growth through 2029, driven by rising demand for perishable exports, expanding urban cold storage infrastructure, and stricter regulatory compliance for pharmaceuticals and food safety. The market is expected to register a healthy CAGR, supported by both domestic consumption trends and international trade demands.

• Expansion of Export-Oriented Cold Storage: With continued growth in agricultural and seafood exports, there will be a significant rise in investment toward modern cold storage facilities near Chile’s major ports and agricultural hubs. The Central and Southern regions are likely to witness substantial infrastructure expansion to cater to seasonal surges in export volumes, especially for fruits and frozen fish.

• Growth in Pharmaceutical Cold Chain: As healthcare standards evolve and access to specialty medicines and vaccines improves, the pharmaceutical segment of the cold chain will expand. By 2029, pharma logistics is expected to account for over 15% of total cold chain revenue in Chile, supported by the enforcement of Good Distribution Practices (GDP) and temperature-sensitive product regulations.

• Digitalization and Real-Time Monitoring: Cold chain players are expected to increasingly integrate technologies such as IoT sensors, blockchain for traceability, and AI-based temperature optimization tools. These technologies will enhance product integrity, reduce losses, and increase operational transparency—key factors for exporters and pharma distributors alike.

• Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Initiatives: With rising energy costs and environmental concerns, the Chilean cold chain industry is moving toward greener practices. The use of solar-powered refrigeration units, energy-efficient warehouses, and hybrid transport fleets is projected to rise. By 2029, nearly 25% of new cold storage capacity is expected to incorporate sustainable design standards and green certifications.

Chile Cold Chain Market Segmentation

• By Type of Service:

  • Cold Storage

  • Cold Transportation

  • Integrated Cold Chain Solutions

• By Application:

  • Fruits & Vegetables

  • Meat & Seafood

  • Dairy Products

  • Pharmaceuticals

  • Processed Foods

• By Temperature Type:

  • Chilled (2°C to 8°C)

  • Frozen (Below 0°C)

• By Type of Transport Mode:

  • Reefer Trucks

  • Refrigerated Containers (Reefer Containers)

  • Air Freight Cold Chain

  • Rail-Based Cold Logistics

• By Type of Storage Facility:

  • Public Cold Storage

  • Private Warehouses

  • Contract Warehousing

• By Ownership Type:

  • Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Providers

  • In-House Logistics Providers

• By Region:

  • Northern Chile

  • Central Chile (including Santiago Metropolitan Region)

  • Southern Chile (including Biobío, Los Lagos, Magallanes)

Players Mentioned in the Report:

• Emergent Cold LatAm

• Frigorífico Simunovic

• Friosan

• Transportes Flores

• Andes Logistics

• Logística FríoSur

• Friofort

Key Target Audience:

• Cold Storage Providers

• Refrigerated Transport Operators

• Food Exporters and Agro-Processors

• Pharmaceutical Distributors

• Government Regulatory Bodies (e.g., SAG, Ministry of Health)

• Port Authorities and Trade Bodies

• Technology Providers for Cold Chain Monitoring

• Investors and Infrastructure Funds

Time Period:

• Historical Period: 2018–2023

• Base Year: 2024

• Forecast Period: 2024–2029