Denmark Cold Chain Market Outlook to 2029

The report titled “Denmark Cold Chain Market Outlook to 2029 – By Market Structure, By Temperature Range, By End-Use Sectors, By Type of Storage and Transportation, By Ownership, and By Region” provides a comprehensive analysis of the cold chain logistics industry in Denmark. 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 end-use segment, temperature type, region, and cause-and-effect relationships, including success case studies that highlight major opportunities and risks.

Denmark Cold Chain Market Overview and Size

The Denmark cold chain market reached a valuation of DKK 5.2 Billion in 2023, driven by the country’s robust food and pharmaceutical export industries, stringent regulatory compliance, and increasing demand for temperature-sensitive logistics. The market is characterized by the presence of prominent logistics providers such as DFDS Logistics, Blue Water Shipping, Bring Frigo, and Thermo-Transit. These companies are known for their advanced temperature-controlled storage facilities, specialized reefer fleets, and compliance with EU-level cold chain standards.

In 2023, DFDS Logistics expanded its cold storage capacity near Aarhus port to support the growing seafood and meat export volumes. Key logistics hubs in Denmark include Copenhagen, Aarhus, Aalborg, and Odense, supported by strong multimodal connectivity and proximity to major trade corridors in the EU and Nordic region.

Market Size for Denmark Cold Chain Industry on the Basis of Revenue in DKK Billion, 2018–2023
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Source: TraceData Research Analysis

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

• Pharmaceutical and Biotech Exports: Denmark is a key exporter of biopharmaceuticals and vaccines, which require strict cold chain protocols. In 2023, pharma accounted for over 30% of cold chain logistics revenue, driven by increasing demand for biologics and temperature-sensitive medicines. Companies like Novo Nordisk and Bavarian Nordic have expanded temperature-controlled supply needs both domestically and internationally.

• Seafood and Meat Industry: As one of the largest exporters of pork and seafood in the EU, Denmark’s cold chain market is heavily supported by agri-food industries. With seafood exports valued at over DKK 16 Billion in 2023, cold storage and reefer transport have become vital infrastructure for ensuring product integrity and meeting EU and Asian market standards.

• Sustainability Regulations and Innovation: The implementation of green supply chain practices has led cold chain operators to invest in energy-efficient refrigeration systems, low-emission vehicles, and data-driven fleet optimization. In 2023, more than 45% of cold storage facilities in Denmark adopted renewable energy systems, aligning with national carbon neutrality goals for 2030.

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

• High Operational Costs: The Denmark cold chain market is challenged by the high cost of operations, particularly energy-intensive refrigeration systems and labor expenses. Electricity costs in Denmark are among the highest in Europe, contributing to over 35% of total cold storage operational expenses. These costs significantly affect profitability, especially for small and medium cold storage operators. Rising inflation and wage pressures in 2023 further squeezed margins across the sector.

• Infrastructure Limitations in Rural Regions: While urban areas like Copenhagen and Aarhus have advanced cold chain infrastructure, rural and remote regions still face gaps in last-mile cold transport and temperature-controlled warehousing. This imbalance has led to uneven service quality and increased spoilage risks for agri-food producers in less-developed zones. In 2023, nearly 18% of SMEs in food processing reported difficulties accessing reliable cold logistics services.

• Talent Shortage and Specialized Workforce: There is a growing shortage of skilled technicians and cold chain specialists in Denmark, particularly in refrigeration engineering, data analytics, and cold storage facility management. According to industry associations, more than 25% of companies faced hiring delays for critical roles in 2023, delaying expansion or modernization efforts.

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

• EU Good Distribution Practice (GDP) Compliance: Cold chain logistics for pharmaceutical products in Denmark are governed by the European Union’s GDP guidelines, ensuring quality throughout the supply and distribution network. As of 2023, over 90% of pharmaceutical cold chain providers in Denmark had full GDP certification, ensuring traceability, temperature control, and documentation across transit stages.

• Food Safety and Temperature Monitoring Standards: Denmark enforces strict temperature control and food safety regulations under the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (DVFA). These include mandatory real-time monitoring of cold chain temperatures and regular audits for food-grade warehouses. In 2023, DVFA increased random inspections by 12% to tighten compliance among new cold storage entrants and e-commerce-linked facilities.

• Green Logistics and Energy-Efficient Cold Chain Grants: The Danish government, in line with its climate neutrality goal by 2030, offers subsidies for retrofitting cold chain infrastructure with energy-efficient systems, such as solar-powered refrigeration, CO₂-based cooling systems, and smart grid integration. In 2023, over DKK 180 million was allocated under the Green Transport Pool to promote sustainability in temperature-controlled logistics.

Denmark Cold Chain Market Segmentation

• By Market Structure: The Denmark cold chain market is primarily driven by organized players, including third-party logistics providers and multinational cold chain specialists. These companies dominate due to their compliance with EU GDP and food safety standards, investments in high-tech infrastructure, and end-to-end service offerings. Unorganized or small-scale operators contribute a smaller share, typically catering to local or seasonal demand in rural zones. However, their limited scale, lack of automation, and challenges in meeting stringent temperature norms restrict their ability to expand.

• By Temperature Range: The market is segmented into chilled (0°C to 8°C), frozen (-18°C to -25°C), and deep-frozen (<-25°C) categories. Frozen cold chain holds the highest share due to Denmark's strong seafood and meat export industries, which require sub-zero storage and transport. Chilled logistics serve dairy, fresh produce, and pharma, especially in urban retail distribution. Deep-frozen applications are rising, particularly for specialized biopharma and vaccine storage that require ultra-low temperatures.

• By End-Use Sector: Food & beverage dominates the cold chain market, accounting for a major share, especially meat, dairy, and seafood exports. Pharmaceuticals is the fastest-growing segment, driven by the country’s robust biopharma industry and growing demand for temperature-sensitive drugs. Retail e-commerce (especially online grocery and meal kits) is also emerging as a significant contributor to cold chain demand in cities like Copenhagen and Aarhus.

Competitive Landscape in Denmark Cold Chain Market

The Denmark cold chain market is moderately concentrated, with a few major logistics providers dominating the sector. However, ongoing investment in automation, sustainable cold logistics, and digital monitoring has enabled both large and mid-sized players to strengthen their market position. Companies such as DFDS Logistics, Blue Water Shipping, Bring Frigo, Thermo-Transit, and H. P. Therkelsen lead the space, offering integrated cold chain solutions across storage, transport, and last-mile distribution.

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

• DFDS Logistics: A leading integrated logistics provider in Denmark, DFDS operates advanced cold storage hubs and reefer fleets serving the food and pharma sectors. In 2023, the company expanded its frozen warehousing capacity by 12% in response to growing seafood export demand. Its cross-border EU network and focus on green logistics position it as a market leader.

• Blue Water Shipping: Specializing in cold chain freight and global forwarding, Blue Water Shipping reported an 18% YoY increase in its temperature-controlled transport segment in 2023. The company launched a smart reefer fleet initiative with real-time temperature and CO₂ tracking for its Nordic and EU corridors.

• Bring Frigo: A subsidiary of Posten Norge, Bring Frigo operates across the Nordic region with a strong presence in Denmark’s retail and F&B cold logistics. In 2023, it invested in solar-powered cross-docking terminals to reduce its carbon footprint. The company saw high growth in urban e-grocery distribution services.

• Thermo-Transit: Known for cross-border refrigerated transport, especially between Denmark, Germany, and Norway, Thermo-Transit operates a fleet of over 700 temperature-controlled trailers. In 2023, the company implemented AI-based route optimization, reducing delivery times and fuel usage by up to 9%.

• H. P. Therkelsen: A key player in food logistics, H. P. Therkelsen focuses on efficient, sustainable refrigerated transport. The company reported a 10% rise in cold chain freight volumes in 2023 and partnered with Danish tech firms to integrate blockchain-based temperature verification in pharma shipments.

What Lies Ahead for Denmark Cold Chain Market?

The Denmark cold chain market is projected to grow steadily through 2029, with a healthy CAGR driven by rising pharmaceutical exports, the expansion of food and e-commerce logistics, and increasing emphasis on sustainability and automation. Demand for temperature-controlled logistics is expected to surge, supported by regulatory alignment with the EU, a tech-driven logistics ecosystem, and Denmark’s strategic position in Northern Europe.

• Expansion of Biopharma Cold Chain Needs: With Denmark emerging as a European hub for biologics and temperature-sensitive pharma products, demand for ultra-low temperature storage and GDP-compliant logistics is expected to rise. Between 2024 and 2029, the pharma cold chain segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 9%, supported by R&D exports and increased vaccine distribution.

• Sustainable Cold Chain Infrastructure: Environmental mandates and carbon-neutral goals are expected to drive large-scale adoption of green refrigeration technologies, solar-powered warehouses, and low-emission reefer trucks. Companies investing in carbon reporting and clean energy systems are likely to gain regulatory advantages and brand preference.

• Digitalization and IoT Integration: The integration of IoT-based temperature monitoring, AI-powered predictive maintenance, and digital fleet tracking will become more widespread. These technologies will reduce spoilage risk, optimize route planning, and support regulatory audits. By 2029, over 70% of cold chain fleets are expected to feature real-time data logging and smart compliance systems.

• Rising Cold Chain Demand from E-Grocery and Meal Kits: As Danish consumers increasingly turn to online grocery shopping and direct-to-consumer food services, urban cold chain logistics will see strong demand growth. Same-day and last-mile refrigerated deliveries will drive innovation in micro-fulfillment centers and insulated parcel lockers in cities like Copenhagen and Aarhus.

Denmark Cold Chain Market Segmentation

• By Market Structure:
o 3PL Cold Chain Providers
o Captive Cold Chain Operators
o Local & Regional Cold Logistics Firms
o Multinational Logistics Players
o Organized Sector
o Unorganized Sector
o Last-Mile Cold Chain Operators

• By Temperature Range:
o Chilled (0°C to 8°C)
o Frozen (-18°C to -25°C)
o Deep-Frozen (< -25°C)
o Controlled Ambient (15°C to 25°C)

• By End-Use Sector:
o Food & Beverage
o Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology
o Retail & E-Commerce
o Dairy & Confectionery
o Meat, Poultry & Seafood
o Horticulture (Fruits & Vegetables)

• By Type of Storage & Transport:
o Cold Storage Warehouses
o Reefer Road Transport
o Reefer Sea Freight
o Reefer Air Cargo
o Intermodal Cold Chain Services

• By Ownership:
o Private Cold Chain Warehouses
o Public / Shared Cold Storage
o Contract-Based Logistics Providers

• By Region:
o Capital Region (Copenhagen)
o Central Denmark (Aarhus)
o North Denmark (Aalborg)
o Southern Denmark (Esbjerg, Kolding)
o Zealand & Islands

Players Mentioned in the Report:

• DFDS Logistics
• Blue Water Shipping
• Bring Frigo
• Thermo-Transit
• H. P. Therkelsen
• BHS Logistics
• ALPI Denmark
• Leman

Key Target Audience:

• Cold Chain Logistics Providers
• Food Processing Companies
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Distributors
• E-Commerce Grocery Platforms
• Danish Veterinary and Food Administration (DVFA)
• Ministry of Environment and Food of Denmark
• Cold Storage Equipment Manufacturers
• Investment and Infrastructure Planning Agencies

Time Period:

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