United Kingdom Cold Chain Market Report and Forecast 2026–2034

Study Period

2020-2034

Market (2025)

USD 12.08 billion

Market (2034)

USD 27.34 billion

CAGR

9.50

Major Markets Players

DHL UK, UPS UK, FedEx UK, Kuehne + Nagel UK, CEVA Logistics UK and Others

United Kingdom Cold Chain Market Insights & Analysis

The United Kingdom Cold Chain Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.50% during the forecast period 2026–2034. The market was valued at USD 12.08 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 27.34 billion by 2034. This strong growth is driven by rising pharmaceutical manufacturing, increasing biologics and vaccine distribution, expansion of frozen and chilled food consumption, and rapid growth in online grocery and temperature-controlled e-commerce across the UK.

The UK has a highly developed cold chain ecosystem supported by advanced refrigerated warehouses, modern cold transport fleets, and strict food and pharmaceutical safety regulations. Increasing imports and exports of temperature-sensitive goods are further strengthening demand for reliable cold chain logistics services.

Additionally, sustainability initiatives, automation, and energy-efficient cold storage technologies are reshaping the UK cold chain landscape.

United Kingdom Cold Chain Market Dynamics

Key Driver: Growth in Pharma, Frozen Foods & Online Grocery

Rising demand for biologics, vaccines, frozen foods, and chilled grocery products is the primary driver of the UK cold chain market. E-commerce grocery platforms and pharmaceutical distributors are increasingly relying on advanced temperature-controlled logistics.

Industry Trend: Automation, Sustainability & Digital Monitoring

Cold chain operators in the UK are investing in robotic warehouses, renewable-powered cold storage, IoT temperature sensors, and real-time compliance tracking to improve efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

Major Challenge: High Energy Costs & Infrastructure Investment

Rising electricity prices and the high cost of maintaining refrigerated infrastructure remain key challenges for cold chain providers.

Opportunity: Biopharma Expansion & Export-Oriented Cold Logistics

Growing pharmaceutical manufacturing, clinical trials, and food exports offer long-term growth opportunities for specialized cold chain services.

United Kingdom Cold Chain Market Segment-wise Analysis

By Service Type:

• Transportation & Freight Forwarding
• Warehousing & Storage
• Refrigerated Storage
• Inventory Management
• Temperature Monitoring & Value-Added Services

Refrigerated storage and cold transportation account for the largest share due to food and pharmaceutical demand.

By Temperature Type:

• Frozen
• Chilled
• Ambient

Frozen and chilled segments dominate, driven by frozen foods, vaccines, and biologics.

By End-Use Industry:

• Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare
• Food & Beverage
• Agriculture
• Retail & E-commerce
• Others

Pharmaceuticals and online grocery represent the fastest-growing demand segments.

By Mode of Transportation:

• Roadways
• Railways
• Airways
• Sea Transport

Road transport dominates domestic cold logistics, while air and sea play a key role in international trade.

Why Choose This Report?

• Comprehensive analysis of the UK cold chain ecosystem.
• Detailed segmentation by service, temperature range, industry, and region.
• Market forecasts from 2020 to 2034.
• Insights into pharma, food, and e-commerce cold logistics.
• Company-level competitive intelligence.
• Supports investment, expansion, and strategic planning decisions.