Colombia Cold Chain Market Outlook to 2029

The report titled “Colombia Cold Chain Market Outlook to 2029 – By Market Structure, By Temperature Range, By Products Stored, By End User Industry, By Ownership and By Region” provides a comprehensive analysis of the cold chain logistics market in Colombia. 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 Colombia Cold Chain Market. The report concludes with future market projections based on revenue, by product type, storage type, region, cause and effect relationships, and success case studies highlighting the major opportunities and cautions.

Colombia Cold Chain Market Overview and Size

The Colombia cold chain market reached a valuation of COP 3.4 Trillion in 2023, driven by the rising demand for temperature-controlled storage in pharmaceuticals, dairy, and fresh produce industries, as well as growing exports of perishable goods. The market is characterized by players such as Servientrega, Logyca, Cold Logistic, Frioport, and DHL Supply Chain, which are recognized for their integrated warehousing and transport services, advanced refrigeration technology, and regulatory compliance.

In 2023, Frioport expanded its cold storage footprint in Bogotá, launching a new multi-temperature warehouse to support the rising demand for processed and frozen foods. Bogotá and Medellín are considered key hubs due to their infrastructure, distribution connectivity, and industrial activity.

Market Size for Colombia Cold Chain Industry on the Basis of Revenue (COP Trillion), 2018–2023

Source: TraceData Research Analysis

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

• Export Growth of Perishables: Colombia’s exports of perishables like flowers, avocados, and berries increased by over 8% CAGR from 2018–2023. This has necessitated investment in reefer trucks, cold rooms, and airport-based cold storage facilities.

• Pharmaceutical and Vaccine Logistics: With rising healthcare access and public-private immunization programs, pharma cold chain demand surged. In 2023, over 30% of cold storage utilization was from healthcare, especially post-COVID vaccine distribution needs.

• Retail and E-commerce Expansion: Major retail and food chains like Éxito, Olímpica, and Rappi are expanding their fresh and frozen product categories, necessitating robust last-mile cold logistics. As of 2023, 26% of cold chain revenue came from urban grocery and food delivery.

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

• Infrastructure Gaps in Rural and Secondary Cities: A significant challenge remains the lack of cold storage infrastructure in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Over 45% of Colombia’s perishable agricultural output comes from regions with limited cold chain access. As a result, nearly 30% of perishable goods experience post-harvest losses due to inadequate cold storage or inefficient transport.

• High Operating and Energy Costs: Cold chain operations in Colombia face high electricity costs, especially in urban centers like Bogotá and Medellín. In 2023, energy accounted for 25–30% of operational expenses for cold storage warehouses, limiting the profitability and scalability of smaller players.

• Fragmented Logistics Ecosystem: The cold chain sector is highly fragmented, with many small and medium-sized operators lacking end-to-end capabilities. This leads to inefficiencies such as temperature deviations during intermodal transfers. A study in 2023 showed that 18% of cold chain failures were due to coordination lapses between transporters and warehouse operators.

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

• INVIMA Temperature Control Regulations: The Colombian National Food and Drug Surveillance Institute (INVIMA) mandates strict temperature controls for pharmaceutical and food logistics. In 2023, compliance audits increased by 15%, with fines imposed on operators lacking calibrated monitoring equipment or deviation records.

• Subsidies for Cold Storage Infrastructure: The government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, launched a subsidy program in 2022 offering up to 40% cost support for establishing cold storage units in high-production zones. This has led to over 120 new cold rooms being set up in regions like Cundinamarca and Antioquia by 2023.

• Trade Facilitation for Agri-exports: Colombia’s National Development Plan (PND) emphasizes modernization of agro-logistics to support exports. In 2023, special clearance zones with cold holding areas were created at major airports (e.g., El Dorado in Bogotá), reducing customs processing time for perishables by 22%.

Colombia Cold Chain Market Segmentation

• By Market Structure: The unorganized sector currently dominates the Colombian cold chain market, primarily composed of small-scale operators, local transporters, and facility owners with limited technology integration. These players cater mainly to short-haul and regional distribution due to their cost-effective pricing and proximity to farms and local food processors.
  The organized sector, however, is growing rapidly, driven by international 3PLs, pharma logistics providers, and retail supply chain operators offering end-to-end temperature-controlled logistics. These players are adopting advanced tracking technologies, automation, and centralized distribution hubs to improve service reliability and regulatory compliance.

• By Temperature Range: The market is segmented into Chilled (0°C to 10°C) and Frozen (-18°C and below) categories. Chilled storage is dominant due to high domestic movement of fresh produce, dairy, and beverages. Frozen storage is critical for meat, seafood, and processed food exports, which account for a significant share of Colombia’s cold exports. A smaller portion of the market also includes Ultra-low temperature storage (for vaccines and biotech), which is gaining relevance due to rising pharma investments.

• By Product Category: Fruits and vegetables lead the market due to Colombia’s strong agricultural base and export focus. Meat and seafood follow closely, especially from coastal regions, requiring deep frozen logistics. Pharmaceuticals and dairy products are emerging segments with growing cold storage requirements, driven by urban consumption and health regulations.

Competitive Landscape in Colombia Cold Chain Market

The Colombia cold chain market is moderately fragmented, with a mix of established logistics providers, regional cold storage operators, and emerging digital logistics platforms. The entry of global 3PLs and the expansion of cold infrastructure by domestic firms like Servientrega, Logyca, and Frioport have intensified competition, while technology-driven players are disrupting traditional models through real-time monitoring and integrated services.

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

• Servientrega: A major logistics player in Colombia, Servientrega expanded its cold chain services in 2023 by adding refrigerated delivery capabilities to its urban last-mile network. The firm reported a 22% YoY growth in its cold logistics division, driven by e-commerce demand for frozen and fresh food.

• Logyca: Known for its supply chain optimization and warehousing services, Logyca introduced a blockchain-based temperature traceability solution in 2023 for pharmaceutical clients. The technology has improved audit compliance and reduced temperature excursion incidents by 18%.

• Frioport: A leading cold storage operator in Colombia’s Atlantic region, Frioport opened a new 25,000-pallet capacity facility in Barranquilla port in 2023. This expansion aims to support rising export volumes of frozen meat and seafood to the U.S. and Europe.

• DHL Supply Chain: Leveraging its global expertise, DHL expanded its temperature-controlled pharma logistics capacity in Bogotá and Cali. In 2023, DHL handled over 3.2 million temperature-sensitive packages across Colombia with an on-time delivery rate exceeding 97%.

• Cold Logistic S.A.: A regional cold chain operator, Cold Logistic upgraded its Medellín warehouse with IoT-based real-time temperature monitoring in 2023. The company also signed long-term contracts with dairy and beverage clients, boosting its annual revenue by 14%.

What Lies Ahead for Colombia Cold Chain Market?

The Colombia cold chain market is projected to experience robust growth through 2029, with a strong CAGR driven by rising demand from the agri-exports, pharmaceutical, and food retail sectors. Infrastructure development, regulatory support, and digital transformation are expected to play key roles in shaping the market’s future.

• Expansion of Agri-Export-Oriented Cold Chain Infrastructure: With Colombia aiming to increase exports of perishables like avocados, flowers, and berries, significant investment is expected in port-based cold storage, reefer trucks, and packhouses. Government-backed export promotion programs and trade agreements with North America and Europe will further fuel this trend.

• Pharmaceutical Cold Chain Modernization: As Colombia becomes a key distribution hub for vaccines and biologics in Latin America, the demand for ultra-low temperature storage and compliant cold transport will rise. Strategic partnerships between logistics companies and pharma manufacturers are anticipated to grow significantly.

• Adoption of IoT and Automation: The use of IoT sensors, cloud-based monitoring, and AI for predictive maintenance is projected to increase across cold warehouses and vehicles. These technologies will reduce spoilage, improve fuel efficiency, and support real-time visibility across the supply chain, attracting international clients.

• Growth in Urban Last-Mile Cold Logistics: With increasing consumer preference for online grocery and meal delivery platforms like Rappi and Éxito, the demand for efficient last-mile cold chain logistics in urban centers will surge. Companies are likely to invest in smaller, decentralized cold storage hubs and electric reefer vehicles for same-day deliveries.

Colombia Cold Chain Market Segmentation

• By Market Structure:
  o Organized Sector
  o Unorganized Sector
  o Integrated 3PL Cold Chain Providers
  o Standalone Cold Storage Operators
  o Temperature-Controlled Transporters
  o Regional Logistics Providers
• By Temperature Range:
  o Chilled (0°C to 10°C)
  o Frozen (-18°C and below)
  o Ambient Controlled
  o Ultra-Low Temperature (-80°C and below – mainly for pharmaceuticals)
• By Product Category:
  o Fruits and Vegetables
  o Meat and Seafood
  o Dairy Products
  o Pharmaceuticals and Vaccines
  o Baked Goods and Confectionery
  o Beverages
• By End User Industry:
  o Food & Beverage
  o Agriculture & Horticulture
  o Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences
  o Retail and E-Commerce
  o Hospitality & Food Service
• By Ownership:
  o Private Logistics Providers
  o Government-Supported Facilities
  o Cooperative-Owned Cold Chains
  o Retailer-Owned Infrastructure
• By Region:
  o Bogotá Capital District
  o Antioquia (Medellín and surrounding areas)
  o Valle del Cauca (Cali and surrounding areas)
  o Atlántico and Caribbean Coast
  o Cundinamarca and Central Region
  o Eje Cafetero and Southwestern Region

Players Mentioned in the Report:

• Servientrega
• Logyca
• Frioport
• DHL Supply Chain
• Cold Logistic S.A.
• Kuehne + Nagel Colombia
• RappiLogística
• Colombiana de Comercio Refrigerado

Key Target Audience:

• Cold Chain Logistics Providers
• Food & Pharma Exporters
• Agricultural Cooperatives
• Supermarkets and Retail Chains
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Distributors
• Regulatory Authorities (e.g., INVIMA, ICA)
• Technology and Cold Storage Equipment Suppliers
• Investment and Infrastructure Development Agencies

Time Period:

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