Myanmar Cold Chain Market Outlook to 2029

The report titled “Myanmar Cold Chain Market Outlook to 2029 – By Market Type (Cold Storage and Cold Transportation), By End User (Fruits & Vegetables, Meat & Seafood, Dairy Products, Pharmaceuticals, and Others), By Temperature Type, By Region.” provides a comprehensive analysis of the cold chain logistics industry in Myanmar. 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 insights, issues and challenges, and comparative landscape including competition scenario, cross-comparison, opportunities and bottlenecks, and profiling of major players operating in Myanmar’s cold chain market. The report concludes with future market projections based on revenue, by service type, product segments, regions, and major use-cases highlighting key opportunities and risks.

Myanmar Cold Chain Market Overview and Size

The Myanmar cold chain market reached a valuation of USD 1.75 billion in 2023, driven by rising demand for temperature-controlled storage and transportation of perishable goods such as meat, seafood, pharmaceuticals, and dairy products. As Myanmar’s economy gradually opens to international trade and urban consumption increases, cold chain infrastructure is becoming vital. Major players such as KOSPA, Premium Distribution, Kokula Logistics, and Yusen Logistics are recognized for their investments in cold storage capacity, last-mile cold transport networks, and integrated supply chain solutions.

In 2023, Premium Distribution expanded its temperature-controlled warehouse facilities near Yangon to accommodate increased demand from food retail and pharma sectors. Yangon and Mandalay serve as the primary cold chain hubs due to high urban consumption and strong connectivity.

What Factors are Leading to the Growth of Myanmar Cold Chain Market

• Agriculture and Seafood Export Growth: Myanmar is a leading exporter of seafood and fresh produce in the region. In 2023, seafood exports alone accounted for over USD 750 million, necessitating reliable cold chain systems to maintain quality during transit, especially for shipments to China and Thailand.

• Rising Demand for Processed and Packaged Foods: With a growing urban population and rising middle class, consumer preferences are shifting toward packaged, frozen, and ready-to-eat foods. The number of retail outlets with cold chain needs increased by 20% in 2023, fueling storage and distribution demand.

• Pharmaceutical Distribution Needs: Cold chain compliance has become critical in pharmaceutical logistics, especially for vaccines and temperature-sensitive drugs. With initiatives by the Ministry of Health and international NGOs, the requirement for GDP-compliant cold storage and distribution systems has surged.

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

• Insufficient Infrastructure and Power Reliability: One of the biggest constraints in Myanmar's cold chain development is the lack of modern storage and transport infrastructure, especially outside major cities. In 2023, it was estimated that nearly 60% of perishable goods in rural areas suffered spoilage due to inadequate cold storage or power outages. Frequent electricity cuts in regions like Shan and Ayeyarwady have further limited the operational efficiency of cold storage facilities.

• High Capital and Operating Costs: Building and maintaining cold storage and refrigerated transport systems are capital-intensive. Many local logistics firms find it financially unviable to invest in temperature-controlled units. In 2023, operational costs for cold chain logistics were reported to be 25–30% higher than standard logistics, discouraging small and mid-sized players from entering the sector.

• Limited Technical Expertise and Workforce Training: A skilled workforce is essential to ensure the consistent performance of cold chain systems. However, Myanmar faces a shortage of trained professionals in areas such as refrigeration system maintenance, temperature monitoring, and inventory control. This skill gap results in frequent breakdowns and inconsistent temperature maintenance, compromising product quality.

What are the Regulations and Initiatives which have Governed the Market

• Cold Chain Guidelines by the Ministry of Commerce: The Myanmar Ministry of Commerce has issued advisory frameworks for the proper handling, transport, and storage of perishable goods. While currently non-mandatory, these guidelines aim to encourage best practices in temperature management. In 2023, over 40 cold chain operators voluntarily aligned with these standards to enhance reliability and secure contracts with global exporters.

• Support from International Development Agencies: Organizations such as JICA, USAID, and GIZ have initiated capacity-building programs and grants to support cold chain infrastructure, particularly in agriculture and pharmaceuticals. For instance, USAID funded cold storage units in Mandalay and Mon in 2022–2023 to improve post-harvest handling for mango and fishery products.

• National Logistics Master Plan (NLMP): As part of its broader infrastructure agenda, the Myanmar government included cold chain development under the National Logistics Master Plan (2023–2030). The plan emphasizes regional cold hubs, integrated transport corridors, and public-private partnerships to bridge infrastructure gaps and improve market connectivity.

Myanmar Cold Chain Market Segmentation

• By Market Structure: The Myanmar cold chain market is largely dominated by unorganized local operators due to the fragmented logistics infrastructure and lower entry barriers in regional towns. These players provide basic cold storage or ad-hoc refrigerated delivery solutions, often catering to agriculture and small-scale retailers. However, organized players such as KOSPA, Premium Distribution, and Yusen Logistics are gaining market share by investing in large-scale, standardized cold warehouses and transport fleets. Their ability to serve pharmaceutical clients, international food brands, and large supermarkets has led to increased demand for organized cold chain services in Yangon and Mandalay.

• By End User: Meat & Seafood is the dominant segment in Myanmar’s cold chain market, driven by the country’s strong seafood exports to China, Thailand, and the Middle East. This is followed by Fruits & Vegetables, especially in the delta and central plains regions, where fresh produce logistics require short-haul cold storage and transport. The pharmaceutical segment has seen sharp growth due to increased demand for vaccines, insulin, and biologics, especially post-COVID-19. Dairy products and frozen processed foods are also growing steadily with urban lifestyle shifts.

• By Temperature Type: Chilled storage (0–5°C) holds a larger share in the Myanmar cold chain market, primarily used for fresh produce, dairy, and short-haul meat transport. However, the share of frozen (-18°C and below) storage and logistics is increasing due to exports of frozen fishery items and growth in frozen food retail. Organized players are now offering hybrid warehouses to meet the growing multi-temperature storage needs of clients.

Competitive Landscape in Myanmar Cold Chain Market

The Myanmar cold chain market is moderately consolidated, with a handful of organized players dominating in urban hubs such as Yangon and Mandalay, while a large number of smaller, unorganized operators serve regional markets. Over the last five years, companies have been gradually investing in integrated temperature-controlled storage and transportation solutions to meet rising demand from agriculture, food processing, and pharmaceuticals. Key players include KOSPA, Premium Distribution, Kokula Logistics, Yusen Logistics, and Japfa Comfeed.

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

• KOSPA Logistics: A joint venture between Kokubu Group (Japan) and Yoma Strategic Holdings, KOSPA expanded its cold transport fleet by 30% in 2023 to cater to growing pharmaceutical and seafood export needs. It is recognized for maintaining high standards in temperature monitoring and distribution reliability.

• Premium Distribution: One of Myanmar’s largest cold chain service providers, Premium Distribution added over 5,000 square meters of new cold storage space in 2023 in Yangon and began offering last-mile refrigerated delivery for frozen foods and dairy across major cities.

• Kokula Logistics: Based in Mandalay, Kokula has developed strong regional capabilities in chilled and frozen food delivery. In 2023, it signed contracts with over 100 agro-processors in upper Myanmar and introduced a tracking system for temperature compliance.

• Yusen Logistics Myanmar: Backed by the Japanese logistics conglomerate, Yusen offers end-to-end cold chain solutions including air and sea freight. The company grew its cold pharma logistics division by 20% in 2023, mainly due to rising vaccine transportation needs.

• Japfa Comfeed Myanmar: Although primarily an agribusiness firm, Japfa operates its own cold logistics infrastructure to support its poultry and processed food supply chain. In 2023, it launched temperature-controlled delivery services to modern trade outlets in Naypyidaw and Bago.

What Lies Ahead for Myanmar Cold Chain Market?

The Myanmar cold chain market is projected to witness robust growth through 2029, driven by rising demand from agro-exports, food retail, and the pharmaceutical sector. The market is expected to register a CAGR of around 9–11%, with increasing investments in infrastructure, digital capabilities, and international trade compliance acting as key accelerators.

• Expansion of Agro-Export Cold Chain Infrastructure: With Myanmar aiming to boost exports of seafood, fruits, and vegetables, significant investment is expected in building cold storage clusters near production zones and border trade points. Export-focused cold chain infrastructure near regions like Myawaddy, Muse, and Yangon Port will be vital to reduce spoilage and improve product quality for international buyers.

• Integration of Cold Chain in E-Commerce Fulfillment: As online grocery and pharmaceutical delivery platforms grow, there will be a rising need for micro cold storage hubs and temperature-controlled last-mile delivery services. Urban centers like Yangon, Mandalay, and Naypyidaw are expected to see the emergence of tech-enabled refrigerated delivery platforms to serve B2C and B2B needs.

• Adoption of Advanced Monitoring Technologies: The use of IoT-enabled sensors, temperature logging systems, and GPS fleet tracking is likely to expand, enhancing the transparency and reliability of cold chain operations. This will not only support regulatory compliance for pharmaceuticals but also help reduce operational losses.

• Public-Private Partnerships and Development Aid: Strategic partnerships between government agencies and international development bodies are anticipated to play a pivotal role in closing the infrastructure gap. Programs led by JICA, USAID, and ADB will likely offer technical assistance, funding, and training initiatives for local players to improve cold chain efficiency.

Myanmar Cold Chain Market Segmentation

• By Market Structure:

• Cold Storage Facilities (Standalone and Integrated)

• Cold Transportation (Refrigerated Trucks, Vans, and Containers)

• Last-Mile Cold Delivery Providers

• Multi-Temperature Warehouses

• Organized Sector

• Unorganized Sector

• Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Cold Chain Providers

• By End User Industry:

• Meat & Seafood

• Fruits & Vegetables

• Dairy Products

• Pharmaceuticals

• Frozen Processed Foods

• Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs)

• Retail Chains and Supermarkets

• By Temperature Type:

• Chilled (0°C to 5°C)

• Frozen (-18°C and below)

• Ambient Controlled (15°C to 25°C, for pharma)

• By Type of Services:

• Storage Services

• Transportation Services

• Integrated Cold Chain Solutions

• Distribution and Fulfillment

• Cross-Border Cold Logistics

• By Region:

• Yangon

• Mandalay

• Bago

• Ayeyarwady

• Shan State

• Sagaing

• Tanintharyi

Players Mentioned in the Report

• KOSPA Logistics

• Premium Distribution

• Kokula Logistics

• Yusen Logistics Myanmar

• Japfa Comfeed Myanmar

• Pro 1 Global Logistics

• Excel Logistic Group

• Mingalarbar Logistics

Key Target Audience

• Cold Storage Operators

• Logistics and Transport Providers

• Exporters and Agro-Processing Firms

• Pharmaceutical and Vaccine Distributors

• Development Agencies and Government Authorities

• Retail Chains and Supermarkets

• Restaurant Chains and Food Aggregators

Time Period

• Historical Period: 2018–2023

• Base Year: 2024

• Forecast Period: 2024–2029