Morocco Cold Chain Market Outlook to 2029

The report titled “Morocco Cold Chain Market Outlook to 2029 – By Market Structure, By Type of Storage (Refrigerated Warehousing and Transportation), By Temperature Range, By End-User Industry (Pharmaceuticals, Food & Beverages, Dairy, Meat & Seafood), and By Region” provides a comprehensive analysis of the cold chain logistics sector in Morocco. The report includes the market's genesis and evolution, current market size in terms of revenue, segmentation by service type and end-use industries, regulatory framework, emerging trends, and key challenges. It also presents the competitive landscape with cross-comparisons and company profiles and concludes with projections up to 2029 based on industry drivers, success case studies, and growth potential.

Morocco Cold Chain Market Overview and Size

The Morocco cold chain market reached a valuation of MAD 4.3 Billion in 2023, driven by rising demand for temperature-controlled logistics in the food and pharmaceutical industries, increased export of perishables, and a growing organized retail sector. Key market players include Frigolog, Saham Logistics, STG Maroc, and SJL Group, which are recognized for their temperature-controlled warehousing infrastructure, fleet capabilities, and regulatory compliance in cold transport.

In 2023, Frigolog expanded its refrigerated warehousing capacity by 15% in the Casablanca region to cater to the growing pharmaceutical and dairy logistics demands. Casablanca and Agadir are emerging as strategic hubs for cold chain operations due to proximity to ports and high agro-industrial activity.

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

• Rising Export of Perishables: Morocco’s agricultural exports – especially citrus, berries, and seafood – have increased significantly, requiring efficient cold storage and transportation to maintain quality during long transit times. In 2023, over 45% of fruit exports were supported by cold chain infrastructure.

• Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Demand: Growth in pharmaceutical imports and the establishment of domestic vaccine and drug distribution programs have contributed to the demand for temperature-sensitive logistics. Government initiatives in 2022 focused on strengthening medical logistics infrastructure, further boosting the sector.

• Retail Modernization: The proliferation of modern trade formats (hypermarkets, supermarkets) has led to greater demand for organized cold storage and last-mile refrigerated delivery. Companies like Marjane and Carrefour are increasingly outsourcing cold logistics to third-party specialists.

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

• Inadequate Infrastructure in Rural Areas: Despite advancements in urban logistics, the cold chain infrastructure in Morocco's rural and inland regions remains underdeveloped. According to a recent logistics survey, over 35% of perishable goods experience temperature deviations during transportation due to limited access to cold storage and reliable power. This directly impacts the shelf life and export potential of agricultural produce from these areas.

• High Operating and Energy Costs: Cold chain operations are capital- and energy-intensive. In 2023, electricity accounted for nearly 40% of total operational costs in refrigerated warehousing. This cost burden, coupled with fluctuations in energy supply and grid reliability in certain regions, affects profitability, especially for small and mid-sized operators.

• Shortage of Trained Workforce: The sector lacks adequately trained technicians and logistics staff skilled in temperature monitoring, handling of pharmaceuticals, and compliance with global standards. Industry estimates suggest that about 30% of cold chain businesses reported inefficiencies or product loss due to staff mishandling in 2022–23.

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

• ONSSA Food Safety Guidelines: The National Office for Food Safety (ONSSA) mandates temperature compliance and traceability for perishable goods in storage and transit. In 2023, over 60% of Morocco’s refrigerated transport operators were audited under ONSSA guidelines, signaling growing enforcement of food safety norms.

• Pharmaceutical Cold Chain Compliance: The Ministry of Health has issued updated guidelines aligned with WHO GDP (Good Distribution Practices) for cold chain transportation of vaccines and temperature-sensitive drugs. In 2022, Morocco’s COVID-19 vaccination rollout helped improve pharma cold chain capabilities across Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakesh.

• Agropole and Logistics Platform Development: The Moroccan government, with support from development partners like EBRD and AFD, is investing in agro-logistics parks with cold storage infrastructure. As of 2023, facilities in Berkane and Meknès added over 20,000 pallet positions of cold storage capacity.

Morocco Cold Chain Market Segmentation

• By Market Structure: The organized cold chain segment in Morocco is expanding rapidly, driven by rising compliance demands from export markets, pharmaceutical companies, and modern retail chains. Organized players offer traceability, temperature monitoring systems, and adherence to global safety standards, which are essential for high-value food and medical logistics. The unorganized segment, however, still dominates rural and semi-urban areas due to cost advantages and limited enforcement of standards, although service levels often remain inconsistent.

• By Type of Cold Chain Service: Refrigerated transportation currently leads the segment due to the need for efficient first-mile and last-mile connectivity, especially for perishable agricultural exports. However, cold warehousing is catching up fast, particularly in urban centers like Casablanca and Tangier, driven by demand from pharmaceuticals, modern trade retailers, and seafood exporters. Multi-temperature warehousing facilities are emerging as a key differentiator in this space.

• By Temperature Range: The market is predominantly driven by chilled storage (0°C to 5°C), which caters to fruits, dairy, and processed foods. Frozen storage (below -18°C), while smaller in share, is growing due to increasing demand from seafood exporters and quick service restaurants (QSRs). Ultra-low temperature logistics (below -25°C), used for specialty pharmaceuticals and vaccines, is a niche but growing area with significant investment interest since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Competitive Landscape in Morocco Cold Chain Market

The Morocco cold chain market is moderately consolidated, with a mix of established logistics providers and emerging cold storage specialists. Key players include Frigolog, Saham Logistics, STG Maroc, SJL Group, and Timar, which have built significant cold storage infrastructure and operate integrated cold chain solutions. Additionally, rising interest from international logistics and private equity players is fueling investments and partnerships in this space.

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

• Frigolog: One of the largest cold logistics firms in Morocco, Frigolog expanded its cold storage footprint by 8,000 pallet positions in Casablanca in 2023. The company also introduced IoT-based temperature monitoring systems, enhancing real-time control across its refrigerated trucks.

• Saham Logistics: Saham Logistics has focused on pharmaceutical logistics, securing multiple contracts with international healthcare firms in 2022–23. Its Good Distribution Practices (GDP)-compliant infrastructure has made it a preferred partner for vaccine and drug storage.

• STG Maroc: STG Maroc operates extensive temperature-controlled logistics routes between Tangier, Casablanca, and key EU ports. In 2023, it added 20 new reefer trucks to its fleet and reported a 15% growth in exports of frozen seafood and processed meat.

• SJL Group: Leveraging its cross-border logistics capabilities, SJL Group continues to support perishable exports to Spain and France. In 2023, the company announced plans to set up a new cold storage facility in Tetouan to support the agri-export corridor in the northern region.

• Timar: A veteran player in the Moroccan logistics sector, Timar has pivoted into temperature-controlled storage over the last few years. In 2023, it launched a multi-temperature facility in Mohammedia, targeting demand from dairy and F&B clients.

What Lies Ahead for Morocco Cold Chain Market?

The Morocco cold chain market is projected to witness steady growth through 2029, driven by rising demand for food exports, expansion of the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector, and increasing investments in logistics modernization. The sector is expected to grow at a healthy CAGR, with improvements in technology, infrastructure, and regulatory alignment playing a central role.

• Expansion of Agro-Exports and International Trade: As Morocco strengthens its position as a key exporter of citrus fruits, berries, seafood, and vegetables, the need for reliable cold chain logistics will continue to rise. With the EU, Middle East, and West Africa as primary trade partners, export-grade temperature control solutions will become increasingly critical.

• Growth of Pharmaceutical Cold Chain: The demand for temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products, including vaccines, insulin, and biologics, is expected to rise steadily. Regulatory alignment with WHO and EU standards, coupled with increased public and private investments, will drive the development of compliant cold storage and transport solutions, especially in Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakesh.

• Integration of IoT and Automation: Adoption of digital technologies such as IoT-based temperature sensors, real-time GPS tracking, and automated cold warehouses is expected to increase significantly. These technologies will improve operational efficiency, reduce spoilage rates, and enhance end-to-end visibility, helping Moroccan providers compete at a global standard.

• Development of Cold Chain Zones and Hubs: Government-backed logistics zones like those in Agadir, Tangier Med, and Berkane will attract domestic and foreign investments. Integrated cold chain parks offering warehousing, processing, and transport in a single ecosystem will become central to regional supply chain efficiency.

Morocco Cold Chain Market Segmentation

• By Market Structure:
o Organized Cold Chain Operators
o Unorganized Cold Chain Operators
o Integrated 3PL Providers
o Standalone Cold Storage Providers
o Refrigerated Transporters
o Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Infrastructure

• By Type of Service:
o Cold Storage
o Refrigerated Transportation
o Integrated Cold Chain Solutions
o Last-Mile Temperature-Controlled Delivery

• By Temperature Range:
o Chilled (0°C to 5°C)
o Frozen (-18°C and below)
o Ultra-Low Temperature (-25°C and below)
o Controlled Atmosphere Storage

• By End-User Industry:
o Fruits & Vegetables
o Meat & Seafood
o Dairy Products
o Pharmaceuticals & Vaccines
o Bakery & Confectionery
o Foodservice & QSR
o Retail & Supermarkets

• By Region:
o Casablanca-Settat
o Rabat-Salé-Kénitra
o Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceïma
o Souss-Massa
o Oriental
o Fès-Meknès

Players Mentioned in the Report:

• Frigolog
• Saham Logistics
• STG Maroc
• SJL Group
• Timar
• Dislog Group
• Maersk Morocco (Cold Chain Division)
• Tibbett Logistics Morocco

Key Target Audience:

• Cold Chain Logistics Providers
• Agro Exporters and Food Processors
• Pharmaceutical Distributors and Manufacturers
• Supermarket Chains & QSR Brands
• Regulatory Bodies (e.g., ONSSA, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health)
• Development Organizations (e.g., EBRD, USAID)
• Cold Chain Technology Providers

Time Period:

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