A representative from the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing stated on 11 July that China’s cold chain supply chain is currently developing robustly, with its overall competitiveness steadily improving. Against the backdrop of accelerating global trade restructuring and the reconfiguration of industrial chains and supply chains, China’s cold chain sector is entering a new era brimming with opportunities.
According to reports, the global cold chain logistics market reached approximately US$363.8 billion in 2024, with China accounting for over 20% of this total. During the first half of this year, the nationwide demand for food cold chain logistics services is projected to have reached around 192 million tonnes, representing a year-on-year increase of 4.35%. The total logistics value is estimated to have amounted to approximately RMB 4.7 trillion, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 4.21%.
China’s cold chain infrastructure is steadily improving. The nation currently operates over 2,500 cross-border e-commerce overseas warehouses, with TIR transport, international refrigerated rail freight services, and the Western Land-Sea New Channel’s rail-sea intermodal transport developing steadily. Asia’s first dedicated cargo airport—Ezhou Huahu Airport—has commenced operations, while digital and intelligent applications have achieved significant progress.
Supply chain resilience continues to strengthen. Building upon the three-tiered network comprising 105 national backbone cold chain logistics bases, production-sales distribution centres, and terminal cold chain facilities, we are advancing the coordinated operation of trunk and feeder logistics alongside terminal distribution. Supported by technological innovation, green transformation, and digital empowerment, we are establishing a high-quality, efficient, secure, and resilient integrated cold chain logistics supply chain system that spans both domestic and international operations.
Moreover, China’s influence in shaping international rules is growing. The first international cold chain logistics standard spearheaded by China – the ‘Requirements for Contactless Delivery in Cold Chain Logistics’ – was formally released in November 2024. This development significantly enhances China’s voice and influence in global cold chain logistics standard-setting, thereby facilitating Chinese enterprises’ access to international markets.
Cui Zhongfu, Chief Economist of the China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing, stated that the global cold chain logistics market holds immense potential, with its scale projected to exceed US$600 billion by 2028. Against the backdrop of accelerating restructuring in global trade and industrial chains, China’s cold chain sector is entering a new era brimming with opportunities. Efforts should focus on cultivating new competitive advantages centred on new-quality productive forces, thereby facilitating seamless integration between domestic and international markets to achieve the dual objectives of ‘buying globally’ and ‘selling globally’.
