Australia Cold Chain & Refrigerated Transport Market Size, Share, Growth and Forecast, 2025-2035

Grocery, export and health flows shape temperature logistics

The Australia cold chain and refrigerated transport market was valued at USD 5.35 billion in 2025 and is projected to increase from USD 5.65 billion in 2026 to USD 8.96 billion by 2035, registering a CAGR of 5.25% during 2026–2035. Demand comes from supermarket chains that move chilled and frozen groceries to stores every day, from meat, dairy and horticulture exporters that ship through major ports, and from hospitals and pharmacies that need medicines held between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius. New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory held the largest regional share, 33.7% in 2025, because Sydney hosts the largest consumer base and the busiest import gateways. Queensland is the fastest-growing region at 5.82% a year, as population growth and beef exports lift volumes. Operators are adding automated frozen stores in Sydney and Melbourne, while larger fleets are buying regional refrigerated carriers to extend national coverage.

Which temperature-controlled services does the estimate count?

The estimate measures revenue from refrigerated storage, refrigerated transport, value-added cold chain services and specialist temperature-controlled handling in Australia. It covers chilled and frozen warehousing, road and rail linehaul, port and airport handling, blast freezing, picking and packing for food, medicines and other sensitive goods. Values are stated at the contract and transaction prices paid by manufacturers, retailers, exporters and healthcare buyers.

The estimate excludes the sale of refrigerated trucks, cold room equipment and packaging, as well as in-house fleets whose costs are not billed to customers. The value chain runs from farms, processors and drug makers through cold stores and refrigerated carriers to supermarkets, foodservice outlets, pharmacies, hospitals and export terminals.

Road transport leads as healthcare handling grows fastest

Why does refrigerated transport lead service value?

Based on service type, the market is categorized into refrigerated storage services, refrigerated transport services, value-added cold chain services and specialist temperature-controlled handling. Refrigerated Transport Services led with a 44.0% share of 2025 value, because long distances between farms, cities and ports need daily chilled freight. Specialist Temperature-Controlled Handling grows fastest at 6.35% a year, as medicines and vaccines need tighter temperature control.

How does healthcare demand outpace food growth?

Based on end-use industry, the market is categorized into food and beverage, pharmaceutical and healthcare, perishable food exports and temperature-sensitive non-food products. Food and Beverage led with a 58.0% share of 2025 value, because supermarkets and foodservice outlets restock chilled goods every day. Pharmaceutical and Healthcare grows fastest at 6.56% a year, as logistics firms add 2 to 8 degree storage for medicines.

Why do road-linked services dominate?

Based on mode of transport, the market is categorized into road-linked services, rail-linked services, sea-gateway-linked services and air-gateway-linked services. Road-Linked Services led with a 71.0% share of 2025 value, because trucks reach every store, farm and hospital. Air-Gateway-Linked Services grow fastest at 6.12% a year, as high-value chilled food and medicines move through airports. Sea-gateway services also gain from record meat exports through Brisbane, Melbourne and Fremantle.

Why are healthcare providers the fastest customers?

Based on customer type, the market is categorized into manufacturers and processors, retailers and wholesalers, foodservice buyers and healthcare providers. Retailers and Wholesalers led with a 41.0% share of 2025 value, because grocery chains buy large dedicated contracts. Healthcare Providers grow fastest at 6.36% a year, as hospitals and pharmacies outsource temperature-controlled storage. Manufacturers and processors also buy storage near ports for export orders.

Food demand, health rules and exports lift volumes

How does recurring food distribution keep volumes rising?

Recurring food distribution keeps volumes rising, because chilled and frozen groceries must be restocked in stores every day. Australia's population reached 27.92 million at March 31, 2026, up 392,700 over the year, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Victoria and Queensland each grew 1.6% over the same year, which adds shoppers in the two fastest-growing large states. Farm production was also forecast at A$86.2 billion for 2024-25, up 4%, which raises the volume of produce, meat and dairy entering cold stores. As a result, retailers and wholesalers hold a 41.0% share of 2025 value, as grocery chains contract chilled transport for frozen food, dairy and fresh produce.

Why does healthcare service complexity raise service value?

Healthcare service complexity raises service value, because medicines and vaccines must stay within narrow temperature ranges from warehouse to patient. National guidelines say vaccines should be stored between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius, and many are damaged outside that range, according to the Department of Health. In December 2024, DHL Supply Chain announced more than A$46 million of automation projects, including a 1,350 square meter cool room at Horsley Park in New South Wales. Toll Healthcare also leased a 10,000 square meter temperature-controlled site at Melbourne Airport for at least 10 years. In turn, pharmaceutical and healthcare grows at 6.56% a year, as clinics replace older vaccine fridges with outsourced storage.

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How does perishable export handling lift port-linked demand?

Perishable export handling lifts port-linked demand, because chilled and frozen meat, dairy and produce must be held and loaded at controlled temperatures. Agricultural exports were forecast at A$68.5 billion for 2024-25, or A$72.6 billion including fisheries and forestry. Beef exports reached a record 1.4 million metric tons in fiscal 2024-25, according to Meat & Livestock Australia, with strong gains in China, South Korea and the United States. Chilled red meat exports also rose 11% to 44,715 metric tons in June 2025 alone. As a result, Queensland grows faster than the other regions, as beef processors near Brisbane and northern ports book more blast freezing and container plug-in capacity.

Why does automated storage capacity support growth?

Automated storage capacity supports growth, because new high-bay frozen stores handle more pallets with fewer workers. In June 2025, NewCold said it would add 100,000 frozen pallet positions in Sydney by October 2026 and 80,000 in Melbourne by July 2026. The Melbourne expansion takes that site to 405,000 pallet positions, including 140,000 chilled and ambient spaces. In August 2023, Americold also acquired a temperature-controlled facility at Ormeau in Queensland with about 10,000 pallet positions and room to expand. These projects add frozen space near the largest consumer and export markets. In turn, operators invest in warehouse automation near Sydney and Melbourne, where most grocery and import volumes are handled.

Fleet deals and electric trucks reshape service networks

How is the rise of fleet acquisitions changing coverage?

The rise of fleet acquisitions is changing coverage, because national operators want regional refrigerated carriers with local customers and depots. In May 2025, Lindsay Australia agreed to buy SRT Logistics for A$108.2 million, adding Tasmania's largest provider of refrigerated supply chain services. SRT serves horticulture, wholesale and retail food businesses with inbound and outbound freight across Bass Strait. NewCold also bought the transport company Karras, founded in 1976, to link its stores with its own trucks. Lineage entered Australia earlier through its 2019 takeover of Emergent Cold and now reports more than 500,000 pallet positions, including more than 340,000 in Victoria and New South Wales. As a result, Victoria and Tasmania hold 24.6% of 2025 value, as combined storage and transport offers win more contracts from food producers.

Why is the shift to electric refrigerated trucks gaining ground?

The shift to electric refrigerated trucks is gaining ground, because retailers want lower emissions from daily store deliveries. Linfox put a refrigerated Volvo FL Electric into service for Woolworths Group in Melbourne, carrying up to eight pallets with a range of up to 200 kilometers. The truck recharges at the Melbourne Fresh distribution center while it unloads, and a full charge takes nine hours. Linfox and Woolworths have worked together on electric vehicles since 2018, and Woolworths supplies more than 1,000 supermarkets nationally. Linfox also set a goal in 2007 to halve its greenhouse gas emissions and reports that it met it. In turn, urban delivery contracts increasingly specify electric trucks for short chilled routes.

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Can Asian demand for chilled beef open new export capacity?

Asian demand for chilled beef opens room for new export capacity, because record volumes need more blast freezing, storage and container handling. Australian beef exports reached a record 1,545,759 metric tons in calendar 2025, more than 202,000 metric tons above the previous record. China took 272,939 metric tons, Japan 257,378 metric tons and South Korea a record 221,350 metric tons during the year. Exports to the United States also hit a record 453,305 metric tons of chilled and frozen beef. As a result, air-gateway-linked services grow at 6.12% a year, the fastest mode, as high-value chilled cuts and premium beef move to Asian buyers.

Is there room for life sciences hubs in smaller states?

Life sciences hubs in smaller states create room for providers, because healthcare networks want local stock instead of long trips from Sydney and Melbourne. In September 2025, DHL Supply Chain broke ground on a 20,000 square meter facility at Edinburgh Park in South Australia, due in the third quarter of 2026. The site will offer ambient, temperature-controlled and cold chain storage for its life sciences and healthcare network. DHL also said it is investing in Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth to expand services in those cities. South Australia alone had about 1.92 million residents at March 31, 2026. In turn, healthcare providers grow at 6.36% a year, the fastest customer group through 2035.

Energy costs, driver shortages and distance strain margins

How do energy costs squeeze cold store margins?

Energy costs squeeze cold store margins, because freezers and chillers run around the clock in a hot climate. Electricity is one of the largest operating costs for frozen warehouses, especially in summer peaks. As a result, operators that sign fixed-price contracts can lose money when power prices rise. Providers respond with rooftop solar, better insulation and automated high-bay stores that cool less air per pallet. Some also shift heavy freezing work to cheaper off-peak hours.

Why do driver shortages limit refrigerated fleets?

Driver shortages limit refrigerated fleets, because long-haul routes need licensed heavy vehicle drivers who will work nights and weekends. Regional operators find it hardest to recruit and keep younger drivers on long routes. In turn, some trucks sit idle during harvest peaks and export surges. Carriers respond with training programs, better rosters, relay driving between depots and more freight moved by rail on long corridors.

How do long distances raise service costs?

Long distances raise service costs, because freight between Perth, Darwin and the east coast travels thousands of kilometers. Trucks need refrigeration fuel, rest breaks and backup units for each trip. As a result, rates for remote areas are far higher than city deliveries. Providers respond with consolidated loads, shared-user depots and rail links that cut cost per pallet on the longest routes. Backhaul loads also help fill trucks returning from remote towns.

Why do compliance rules add cost for healthcare freight?

Compliance rules add cost for healthcare freight, because medicines need validated storage, temperature records and qualified staff. Each breach can force a product write-off and a report to the customer. In turn, smaller carriers struggle to win healthcare contracts from drug makers and hospital groups. Providers respond with data loggers, validated packaging, audited cool rooms and staff training that meet the needs of drug makers and hospitals.

New South Wales leads while Queensland grows fastest

Why do new South Wales and the ACT hold the largest share?

New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory held 33.7% of 2025 value and grow at 4.82% a year, because the zone had about 9.16 million residents at March 31, 2026. Sydney hosts the busiest import gateways and the largest grocery distribution centers. However, growth is slower than in Queensland because the state already has deep storage capacity. New automated frozen stores in western Sydney should still add capacity through 2026.

How do Melbourne cold stores support Victoria and Tasmania?

Victoria and Tasmania held 24.6% of 2025 value and grow at 5.22% a year, because the zone had about 7.73 million residents at March 31, 2026. Melbourne hosts large automated cold stores and the main port for container trade. In turn, Tasmanian produce and seafood reach mainland markets through refrigerated freight across Bass Strait. The SRT Logistics deal linked that flow to a national fleet, while growing Melbourne suburbs add grocery volume each year.

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Why are the western and central states important?

Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory held 22.7% of 2025 value and grow at 5.42% a year, because the zone had about 5.28 million residents at March 31, 2026. Western Australia had the fastest population growth at 2.1%, and long distances make refrigerated linehaul essential. New healthcare storage at Edinburgh Park in Adelaide also adds demand from 2026. Fremantle and Adelaide ports handle chilled meat, seafood and produce exports.

How does Queensland beef and population growth lift demand?

Queensland held 19.0% of 2025 value and grows fastest at 5.82% a year, because the state had about 5.74 million residents and grew 1.6% in the year to March 2026. The state is a major beef processing and export base, and agriculture still added about 2.3% of national output in 2025, according to World Bank data. As a result, export stores near the Port of Brisbane keep adding capacity.

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Automated stores and fleet deals marked 2024 to 2026

Automation, telematics and cleaner fleets lift efficiency

• Automated high-bay frozen stores use cranes and shuttles in deep-frozen chambers, which raises pallet density and cuts labor in hot conditions.
• Real-time temperature telematics track trailer and room temperatures on every load, which gives healthcare and export customers proof of compliance.
• Electric refrigerated trucks serve short urban routes from distribution centers to stores, which lowers emissions and fuel use.
• Validated passive packaging holds medicines at 2 to 8 degrees, 15 to 25 degrees or minus 20 degrees, which supports last-mile healthcare deliveries.

National networks compete on capacity and coverage

Competition is led by national networks that combine cold stores, refrigerated fleets and port access. Lineage reports more than 500,000 pallet positions in Australia after entering the market in 2019, while NewCold runs automated frozen stores in Melbourne and is adding a Sydney site. Americold added a 10,000 pallet facility at Ormeau in Queensland in 2023. Linfox runs dedicated grocery transport, including electric refrigerated trucks for Woolworths Group. Lindsay Australia expanded into Tasmania through the SRT Logistics deal, while Toll Group and DHL Supply Chain compete for healthcare contracts with temperature-controlled sites in Melbourne and Sydney. Rivals compete on capacity near ports, national coverage, automation, compliance records and contract length.

Companies profiled and their roles in this market

Credence Research view on Australian temperature logistics

Credence Research's view is that Australian demand for cold chain and refrigerated transport will grow steadily, because population growth, record exports and healthcare outsourcing all add temperature-controlled volume. Refrigerated transport remains the largest service, while healthcare handling adds the fastest growth from a smaller base. New automated frozen stores in Sydney and Melbourne should ease capacity limits from 2026. However, energy costs, driver shortages and long distances will keep pressure on margins. Operators with national networks and port access should gain share.

Trade, population and company data anchor the sizing

The report uses 2025 as the base year on a calendar basis, and market values come from the Credence Research model. That model combines Australian Bureau of Statistics population data, ABARES farm production and export forecasts, red meat export statistics, health department storage guidelines, World Bank data and company announcements on cold store capacity and fleet deals. Regional shares follow the client split for 2025, while segment splits and growth rates are Credence Research estimates. Sources used are public reports, official statistics, trade press and company releases, and no interviews or surveys were used.

Export demand and automated storage carry growth to 2035

Cold chain and refrigerated transport revenue in Australia is expected to reach USD 8.96 billion by 2035, a 5.25% CAGR during 2026–2035, as food demand, exports and healthcare needs keep volumes rising. Growth should be strongest in Queensland, where beef exports and population growth meet new port-side capacity. After 2026, automated stores in Sydney and Melbourne should lower handling costs. Weaker export prices or higher power costs would lower this outlook, while faster healthcare outsourcing would raise it. Networks with automation and national coverage are expected to gain the most.

Note: The depth of individual sections depends on data availability for this market. Volume, capacity, trade and other unit-based metrics are included where applicable.