Netherlands Cold Chain Market Outlook to 2029

The report titled “Netherlands Cold Chain Market Outlook to 2029 - By Market Structure, By Storage and Transport Type, By End-User Industry, By Temperature Range, and By Region” provides a comprehensive analysis of the cold chain industry in the Netherlands. 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 service type, industry verticals, region, cause and effect relationships, and success case studies highlighting major opportunities and potential risks.

Netherlands Cold Chain Market Overview and Size

The Netherlands cold chain market reached a valuation of EUR 6.3 billion in 2023, driven by the increasing demand for perishable goods, expanding food and pharmaceutical exports, and the country's strategic position as a European logistics hub. The market is characterized by key players such as Lineage Logistics, Kloosterboer, DFDS, STEF Netherlands, and NewCold, known for their advanced infrastructure, automation in warehousing, and integrated transport networks.

In 2023, Kloosterboer inaugurated a fully automated cold store facility in Rotterdam, with a capacity exceeding 60,000 pallet locations. This strategic expansion supports the rising demand from food and pharmaceutical exporters. Regions such as North Holland, South Holland, and Limburg are key markets due to their proximity to ports, agro-processing zones, and pharmaceutical clusters.

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

• Export-Oriented Agri and Pharma Economy: The Netherlands is the second-largest exporter of agri-food products globally and has a strong pharmaceutical manufacturing base. Cold chain solutions are critical for maintaining product integrity during export. In 2023, nearly 70% of temperature-sensitive goods exported from the Netherlands required cold chain infrastructure, thereby fuelling demand for advanced storage and transport services.

• Strategic Port and Logistics Advantage: The presence of Port of Rotterdam, Europe's largest seaport, and Schiphol Airport, a major air cargo hub, has solidified the country’s role in cold chain distribution. Integrated road-rail-water connectivity has further enabled efficient multi-modal cold logistics, reducing transit times by over 30% for high-value perishables.

• Increasing Stringency of Regulations: Stricter EU and national regulations regarding the storage and transportation of pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and frozen foods have mandated adherence to GDP (Good Distribution Practice) and HACCP standards. In 2023, over 85% of cold chain operators in the Netherlands were GDP-compliant, ensuring quality and safety across the logistics chain.

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

• High Energy and Operational Costs: Operating cold storage and transportation systems in the Netherlands is energy-intensive, especially due to compliance with stringent temperature requirements and the rising cost of electricity. In 2023, energy expenses accounted for nearly 35% of total operational costs in cold warehouses. As a result, smaller players struggle to maintain profitability and competitiveness, limiting industry participation.

• Infrastructure Bottlenecks and Urban Congestion: The increasing demand for last-mile cold deliveries in urban areas like Amsterdam and Rotterdam has led to logistical inefficiencies due to traffic congestion and limited cold zone capacity. According to industry data, up to 18% of cold chain transport delays in 2023 were attributed to urban delivery bottlenecks, negatively affecting temperature-sensitive goods.

• Shortage of Skilled Workforce: Operating and managing advanced cold chain systems requires specialized skillsets, including temperature monitoring, refrigeration handling, and regulatory compliance. However, there is a growing talent gap in the Netherlands, with over 20% of cold chain companies reporting hiring challenges for technical and logistics roles in 2023. This shortage impedes the scalability and quality assurance of services.

What are the Regulations and Initiatives which have Governed the Market

• EU GDP Compliance and HACCP Guidelines: Cold chain operations handling pharmaceuticals in the Netherlands must comply with Good Distribution Practice (GDP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) standards. These ensure temperature integrity, traceability, and hygiene. In 2023, more than 85% of certified facilities in the Netherlands operated under GDP protocols, indicating strong adherence to EU-level best practices.

• National Sustainability Mandates for Cold Logistics: As part of the Dutch Climate Agreement, cold chain companies are required to transition toward low-emission logistics by 2030. This includes mandatory CO₂ reduction targets, energy-efficient refrigeration technologies, and investments in electric vehicle fleets. In 2023, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management offered subsidies up to EUR 300,000 per project for green cold storage upgrades.

• Food Safety Authority (NVWA) Oversight: The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) oversees cold chain practices related to perishable food handling. It enforces strict inspections on storage temperatures, contamination control, and traceability of products. In 2023, over 92% of audited cold chain facilities passed NVWA inspections without major non-compliance, reflecting high standards of food safety and hygiene.

Netherlands Cold Chain Market Segmentation

• By Market Structure: The Netherlands cold chain market is largely dominated by organized players, owing to the country’s highly regulated environment and emphasis on compliance, efficiency, and sustainability. Large-scale integrated logistics companies operate sophisticated cold storage and transport networks, supported by automation, GDP certification, and carbon-reduction strategies. However, a small share is held by unorganized players, especially in rural and regional fresh produce segments, where cold infrastructure is often fragmented or reliant on small-scale operators.

• By Storage and Transport Type: Cold Storage Warehousing accounts for the largest share in the Netherlands cold chain market, driven by the growing demand from processed food, frozen seafood, and pharmaceutical sectors. These warehouses are often equipped with automated racking systems and remote temperature monitoring. On the other hand, Refrigerated Transportation – both short-haul and long-haul – is gaining traction, particularly with rising e-commerce and supermarket chains requiring temperature-controlled last-mile delivery for groceries, dairy, and meal kits.

• By End-User Industry: The Food & Beverage sector is the dominant end-user of cold chain services in the Netherlands, accounting for a major share of the volume and revenue. The country’s status as a leading exporter of meat, dairy, and horticultural produce drives this demand. Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences is the second-largest segment, supported by high-value temperature-sensitive products such as vaccines, biologics, and clinical trial materials that require GDP-compliant handling.

Competitive Landscape in Netherlands Cold Chain Market

The Netherlands cold chain market is moderately concentrated, with several large, international players leading the industry, supported by a mix of regional logistics providers and niche service specialists. The market is defined by high infrastructure quality, automation adoption, and compliance with EU regulatory frameworks. Key players include Lineage Logistics, Kloosterboer, NewCold, DFDS, and STEF Netherlands, with increasing investment in automation, sustainability, and digital integration.

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

• Lineage Logistics: One of the world’s largest temperature-controlled logistics companies, Lineage significantly expanded its footprint in the Netherlands in 2023 by upgrading its Maasvlakte II Rotterdam facility with high-density automation. This resulted in a 15% increase in throughput efficiency, catering primarily to meat and dairy exporters.

• Kloosterboer: With over 90 years in cold logistics, Kloosterboer opened a fully automated deep-freeze warehouse in 2023 in Lelystad with a capacity of 60,000 pallets. The facility is designed to operate with zero-emission refrigeration systems and solar energy support, aligning with national green logistics goals.

• NewCold: NewCold operates one of the largest automated cold storages in Europe, located in Breda. In 2023, it entered new contracts with several multinational food brands, expanding its capacity utilization by 25% year-on-year. Their proprietary warehouse software and energy-efficient infrastructure position them as an innovation leader.

• DFDS Logistics: With strong presence in maritime and overland refrigerated transport, DFDS reported a 20% growth in cross-border cold chain movements between the Netherlands and Scandinavian markets in 2023. Investments were made into electric refrigerated trucks and digitized route optimization.

• STEF Netherlands: A key player in the food logistics space, STEF focused on increasing temperature traceability and regulatory compliance in 2023. The company saw a 12% increase in demand for its pharma cold chain services, driven by biopharma exports and vaccine distribution requirements.

What Lies Ahead for Netherlands Cold Chain Market?

The Netherlands cold chain market is projected to grow steadily through 2029, with an anticipated CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period. Growth will be driven by rising exports of perishable goods, stringent EU regulations, sustainability mandates, and technological advancements in cold logistics infrastructure.

• Rise of Pharmaceutical and Biotech Cold Chain: As the Netherlands continues to position itself as a life sciences hub in Europe, demand for GDP-compliant storage and transportation of temperature-sensitive products like vaccines, cell & gene therapies, and biologics is expected to surge. By 2029, the pharmaceutical cold chain segment is forecasted to contribute nearly 25% of total cold chain revenues, up from 18% in 2023.

• Expansion of Sustainable and Green Logistics: In alignment with the Dutch Climate Agreement, cold chain operators are expected to adopt low-emission refrigeration technologies, electric reefer trucks, and solar-powered warehouses. By 2029, over 60% of new cold chain facilities are expected to be built with green certifications (e.g., BREEAM), significantly reducing the industry’s carbon footprint.

• Digital Twin and Predictive Monitoring Integration: The integration of IoT sensors, digital twin models, and AI-driven temperature tracking will enhance real-time visibility and reduce spoilage rates across the cold chain. These innovations will allow predictive maintenance, risk alerts, and route optimization — driving efficiency gains of up to 20% across the logistics lifecycle.

• Growth of Multi-User Automated Cold Storage Facilities: There is a growing shift toward shared cold storage models, especially for SMEs and exporters with variable volumes. Multi-client automated facilities will offer flexible leasing, robotic handling, and lower per-unit costs, making cold chain services more accessible to a wider segment of the market.

Netherlands Cold Chain Market Segmentation

• By Market Structure:

• Independent Cold Storage Warehouses

• Integrated Cold Chain Service Providers

• Cold Chain Transport Specialists

• Multimodal Cold Logistics Companies

• Organized Sector

• Unorganized Sector

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

• By Storage and Transport Type:

• Frozen Storage

• Chilled Storage

• Controlled Ambient Storage

• Refrigerated Road Transport

• Refrigerated Rail Transport

• Refrigerated Sea Freight

• Air Cargo with Temperature Control

• By End-User Industry:

• Food & Beverage (Fruits, Vegetables, Meat, Dairy, Seafood)

• Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences

• Retail and E-commerce

• Flowers and Horticulture

• Chemicals and Specialty Materials

• Hospitality and Foodservice

• By Temperature Range:

• Frozen (-18°C and below)

• Chilled (2°C to 8°C)

• Controlled Ambient (15°C to 25°C)

• By Region:

• North Holland

• South Holland

• Limburg

• North Brabant

• Gelderland

• Zeeland

Players Mentioned in the Report

• Lineage Logistics

• Kloosterboer

• NewCold

• DFDS Logistics

• STEF Netherlands

• Bakker Logistiek

• Rhenus Logistics

• H&S Coldstore

Key Target Audience

• Cold Chain Logistics Companies

• Food and Pharmaceutical Exporters

• Retail and E-Commerce Distributors

• Regulatory Bodies (e.g., Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority – NVWA)

• Port and Airport Authorities

• Technology Solution Providers for Cold Storage and Monitoring

• Cold Storage Equipment Manufacturers

• Investors and Infrastructure Funds

• Research and Policy Institutions

Time Period

• Historical Period: 2018–2023

• Base Year: 2024

• Forecast Period: 2024–2029