PH cold chains tipped for 8-10% growth
The Philippine cold chain industry is expected to grow by 8 percent to 10 percent annually through 2031. This will be driven by rising food safety standards and the continued expansion of modern food retail outlets, industry leaders said.
Anthony Dizon, president of the Cold Chain Association of the Philippines, said demand is being fueled chiefly by the shift away from traditional wet markets and toward chilled and frozen food formats.
“Chilled and frozen products are no longer viewed as premium or niche—they are becoming mainstream,” he said.
He added that consumers are increasingly placing greater emphasis on food safety and quality.
Industry data show that postharvest food losses remain high, especially in agricultural areas with limited access to refrigeration. In 2024, the Department of Agriculture (DA) estimated annual postharvest losses for rice alone at P7.89 billion.
Another crucial aspect of reducing these losses is refrigerated transport, particularly last-mile and interisland delivery. This remains a key challenge due to the country’s tropical climate and high electricity costs.
Government infrastructure projects are expected to alleviate some of these constraints.
The DA plans to build more farm-to-market roads in 2026. The initiative will receive a substantially increased allocation of P33 billion.
Private sector investments are also expanding. Japanese firms Centro Nippon Fruehauf Cooltech Inc. and Sojitz Fuso Philippines Corp. are rolling out a new refrigerated van. They are targeting operators expanding in cold chain logistics.
Dizon said such investments are crucial to sustaining industry growth, which hinges on efficiency and reliability.
