Mexico Cold Chain Market Outlook to 2029

The report titled “Mexico Cold Chain Market Outlook to 2029 – By Market Structure (Organized and Unorganized), By Type (Cold Storage and Cold Transportation), By End Users (Fruits and Vegetables, Dairy Products, Meat and Seafood, Pharmaceuticals, and Others), By Ownership (3PL and Captive)” provides a comprehensive analysis of the cold chain market in Mexico. 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 segment, end user type, ownership model, and cause-effect relationship analysis, along with success case studies highlighting key opportunities and cautions.

Mexico Cold Chain Market Overview and Size

The Mexico cold chain market reached a valuation of MXN 65 Billion in 2023, driven by the rising demand for temperature-sensitive food and pharmaceutical products, growing exports of fresh produce, and increasing adoption of organized storage and logistics infrastructure. The market is led by companies such as Frialsa, Emergent Cold Latin America, Grupo Alianza, and Qualianz. These players are recognized for their nationwide cold storage facilities, reliable cold transportation services, and end-to-end logistics solutions.

In 2023, Emergent Cold LatAm expanded its warehouse capacity in Jalisco, focusing on strategic locations for agri-food exports to the U.S. and Europe. Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey emerged as top cold chain hubs owing to high consumption volumes, industrial clustering, and connectivity to major ports and highways.

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

• Export Growth in Agri-Food and Seafood: Mexico’s fresh produce exports—particularly avocados, berries, and tomatoes—have witnessed strong growth to the U.S. and Europe. In 2023, over 65% of exported agri-products required temperature-controlled handling, driving investment in cold logistics and storage facilities.

• Rising Pharmaceutical and Vaccine Demand: The growth of the pharmaceutical sector and vaccine distribution, especially post-COVID, has fueled demand for reliable cold chain networks. In 2023, the pharma sector accounted for nearly 18% of the cold transportation segment’s revenue.

• Urban Consumption and Modern Retail: The shift toward modern retail, online grocery delivery, and quick commerce in urban areas such as Mexico City and Monterrey has created new demand for last-mile cold logistics. Retailers now demand real-time temperature monitoring and micro-warehousing capabilities.

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

• Infrastructure Gaps in Remote Regions: One of the major challenges in Mexico’s cold chain sector is the lack of cold storage and last-mile temperature-controlled logistics in remote and rural areas. According to industry estimates, nearly 35% of fresh produce losses occur due to inadequate cold storage infrastructure, particularly in southern states such as Oaxaca and Chiapas. This results in significant post-harvest wastage and revenue loss for producers.

• Energy Costs and Reliability: High electricity costs and inconsistent power supply continue to affect the operational efficiency of cold storage facilities. In 2023, energy expenses accounted for nearly 25% of total operational costs for cold chain providers, limiting their expansion capacity. Power outages also impact temperature-sensitive goods, posing a risk of spoilage.

• Fragmented and Unorganized Market: A large share of the cold chain market in Mexico remains dominated by small and unorganized players lacking modern equipment or real-time monitoring systems. In 2023, unorganized operators still accounted for approximately 48% of the market, which restricts overall efficiency, scalability, and service quality across the supply chain.

What are the Regulations and Initiatives which have Governed the Market

• NOM-251-SSA1 Sanitary Practices Regulation: The Mexican government enforces the NOM-251 regulation which outlines hygiene and sanitary practices in handling and transportation of perishable goods. This mandates strict temperature controls, traceability, and periodic audits for cold chain operators, especially in food and pharma sectors. In 2023, over 70% of compliant facilities were concentrated in central and northern Mexico.

• Tax Incentives and Infrastructure Support: To promote cold chain development, the Mexican government has included logistics and storage infrastructure under the “Zonas Económicas Especiales (ZEE)” and “Prologistics” programs. These offer tax exemptions and customs benefits to cold chain companies investing in designated growth zones such as Veracruz and Tabasco.

• Support for Export-Oriented Agri Logistics: The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) has partnered with private players to fund cold storage and reefer truck deployment for export corridors—especially avocados, berries, and seafood. In 2023, 22 new cold chain hubs were announced under this scheme, with funding support for up to 50% of project costs in priority zones.

Mexico Cold Chain Market Segmentation

• By Market Structure: The organized cold chain segment is growing steadily, especially among large-scale exporters, pharma companies, and modern retailers due to better infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and real-time monitoring. These players often provide end-to-end solutions from storage to last-mile delivery. The unorganized segment, however, still plays a vital role in local and regional food distribution due to its low-cost services and wide penetration in Tier II and III cities, albeit with limited technological sophistication and compliance.

• By Type: Cold storage holds the larger share of the market, especially for agri-produce, dairy, and seafood preservation across key producing states like Michoacán, Jalisco, and Veracruz. Cold transportation, on the other hand, is witnessing rapid growth due to the rise in online grocery delivery, pharmaceutical logistics, and cross-border food exports. With increasing investment in reefer trucks and IoT tracking systems, the transportation segment is expected to gain further traction.

• By End User: The fruits and vegetables segment dominates the cold chain market due to Mexico’s strong agricultural export base. Dairy and meat products form the second-largest share due to rising domestic consumption and safety standards. Pharmaceuticals—especially biologics and vaccines—are an emerging end-user segment, with double-digit growth, driven by both public health programs and private pharma distribution.

Competitive Landscape in Mexico Cold Chain Market

The Mexico cold chain market is moderately consolidated, with a mix of established domestic players and international logistics firms operating across cold storage and transportation segments. While large players such as Frialsa, Emergent Cold Latin America, and Grupo Alianza dominate the organized market, several regional players and cooperatives continue to serve unorganized and semi-urban markets. The market has also witnessed increased investment from foreign logistics companies aiming to strengthen end-to-end cold supply chains, especially for food exports and pharmaceuticals.

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

• Frialsa Frigoríficos: One of Mexico’s largest cold storage operators, Frialsa runs over 25 facilities nationwide. In 2023, it expanded capacity in Sinaloa and Jalisco by 12%, catering to seafood and produce exporters. Their use of solar-powered warehouses and advanced WMS systems has made them a sustainability leader in the sector.

• Emergent Cold LatAm: The company entered Mexico in 2021 and rapidly expanded through acquisitions. In 2023, it announced a major new distribution center in Jalisco to support agri-exports and regional food retailers. Their state-of-the-art infrastructure and compliance with FDA/USDA export protocols have made them a key player in international supply chains.

• Grupo Alianza: A domestic logistics firm known for integrated refrigerated transportation and storage. In 2023, it focused on pharma and vaccine distribution in central Mexico, launching GPS-enabled reefer fleet services and gaining ISO 9001 and ISO 22000 certifications.

• Qualianz: A fast-growing firm specializing in multi-temperature cold chain solutions for retail and food service clients. In 2023, the company launched its Smart Monitoring System (SMS) for real-time temperature tracking, leading to a 20% boost in client retention across urban markets.

• Lineage Logistics (Mexico): A global cold chain powerhouse that entered the Mexican market through acquisitions in 2022. In 2023, it announced a strategic partnership with local producers in Baja California to streamline avocado and berry exports to the U.S. and Canada, supported by advanced automation and analytics tools.

What Lies Ahead for Mexico Cold Chain Market?

The Mexico cold chain market is projected to witness robust growth by 2029, registering a healthy CAGR during the forecast period. The expansion will be driven by increased exports of temperature-sensitive goods, pharmaceutical distribution needs, and modernization of logistics infrastructure across the country.

• Expansion of Export-Oriented Cold Logistics: Mexico’s position as a leading exporter of fruits, vegetables, seafood, and meat to the U.S., Canada, and Europe is expected to fuel continued investment in cold storage hubs and cross-border cold transportation corridors. New trade agreements and infrastructure support under the USMCA are likely to further accelerate export-driven cold chain development.

• Digitization and Smart Monitoring Adoption: The industry is moving towards digitized cold chain management, with increased adoption of IoT, real-time GPS tracking, and AI-based temperature monitoring. By 2029, these technologies are expected to become standard across organized players, reducing product spoilage and improving supply chain transparency.

• Rise in Pharma and Vaccine Logistics: The post-pandemic focus on public health and pharmaceutical supply chains will continue to stimulate growth in specialized cold storage and transportation solutions. Demand for GxP-compliant (Good Distribution Practice) facilities and ISO-certified providers is likely to rise, especially in central and northern Mexico.

• Investment in Green and Energy-Efficient Infrastructure: Sustainability will be a key theme going forward, with cold chain operators investing in solar-powered warehouses, energy-efficient refrigeration systems, and low-emission reefer trucks. These shifts align with Mexico’s national climate goals and increasing ESG expectations from global clients.

Mexico Cold Chain Market Segmentation

• By Market Structure:
o Organized Sector
o Unorganized Sector
o 3PL (Third Party Logistics) Providers
o Captive In-House Logistics

• By Type:
o Cold Storage
o Cold Transportation
o Multi-Temperature Warehousing
o Reefer Trucking Services

• By End User:
o Fruits & Vegetables
o Dairy Products
o Meat & Seafood
o Pharmaceuticals & Vaccines
o Bakery & Confectionery
o Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs)

• By Ownership:
o Third-Party Logistics (3PL)
o Captive (Owned by Product Manufacturers/Retailers)

• By Temperature Range:
o Chilled (0–10°C)
o Frozen (Below 0°C)
o Deep Freeze (Below −20°C)

• By Region:
o Northern Mexico (Monterrey, Nuevo León, Coahuila)
o Central Mexico (Mexico City, Estado de México, Querétaro)
o Western Mexico (Jalisco, Michoacán)
o Southern Mexico (Oaxaca, Chiapas)
o Eastern Mexico (Veracruz, Tabasco, Campeche)
o Baja Peninsula (Baja California, Baja California Sur)

Players Mentioned in the Report:

• Frialsa Frigoríficos
• Emergent Cold LatAm
• Grupo Alianza
• Qualianz
• Lineage Logistics (Mexico)
• DHL Supply Chain Mexico
• Solistica
• Logística Fría

Key Target Audience:

• Cold Chain Logistics Providers
• Food Exporters and Importers
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Distributors
• Retail and E-Commerce Companies
• Restaurant Chains and QSR Operators
• Government and Regulatory Bodies (e.g., SADER, COFEPRIS)
• Investment and Infrastructure Developers
• Technology Providers (IoT, WMS, GPS)
• Market Research and Consulting Firms

Time Period:

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