As China’s economy continues to develop and residents’ living standards improve, the cold chain logistics industry has seen rapid growth. According to the latest data, in the first half of 2024, the market size of China’s cold chain logistics exceeded 3.22 trillion yuan, with a year-on-year increase of 12.5%. This growth is attributed not only to the expanding demand in the food and pharmaceutical sectors but also to continuous innovation and optimization in logistics technology and management models.

Food Industry Drives Surge in Cold Chain Demand

In recent years, consumer demand for freshness and quality in food has steadily increased, with the rapid development of fresh food e-commerce and frozen food becoming a major driving force behind cold chain logistics growth. Fresh products require strict control of temperature and humidity during transportation and storage, making cold chain technology and equipment crucial for ensuring food safety and quality. In the first half of 2024, the food sector accounted for nearly 60% of the cold chain logistics market, serving as the industry’s backbone.

Additionally, the shift in consumer behavior following the pandemic, with more people opting to order fresh food for home delivery, has further boosted demand for cold chain logistics. Major fresh food e-commerce platforms are investing heavily in cold chain infrastructure to ensure their products can be delivered to consumers quickly and safely. This shift has accelerated the adoption of cold chain logistics in the retail sector, intensifying market competition.

Steady Growth in Pharmaceutical Cold Chain Demand

The pharmaceutical sector also heavily relies on cold chain logistics. Vaccines, plasma, reagents, and other medical products require stringent temperature control during transportation and storage, making pharmaceutical cold chain logistics a critical component of the industry. In the first half of 2024, driven by domestic vaccination programs and the globalization of the pharmaceutical industry, demand for pharmaceutical cold chain logistics has grown steadily.

Pharmaceutical cold chain logistics must not only meet domestic needs but also tackle the challenges of international markets. With the trend of globalization, more and more pharmaceutical products are transported across borders, posing higher demands for cold chain technology, transportation timeliness, and stability. To address these challenges, cold chain logistics companies are continuously introducing high-precision temperature control technology and real-time monitoring systems to ensure accurate temperature regulation throughout the transportation process.

Technological Innovation Fuels Cold Chain Development

The rapid growth of China’s cold chain logistics industry is driven not only by market demand but also by technological innovation and the improvement of industry standards. With the integration of technologies such as IoT, big data, and artificial intelligence, the cold chain logistics industry is stepping into an era of intelligent management. By employing advanced temperature monitoring devices and real-time data transmission technology, companies can precisely monitor the entire cold chain transportation process, reducing waste and improving operational efficiency.

It is worth mentioning that as the country continues to raise its environmental protection and energy-saving requirements, the cold chain industry is also exploring paths toward green logistics. The promotion and application of new energy refrigerated trucks and energy-saving cold chain warehouses not only reduce energy consumption but also enhance the environmental sustainability of transportation and storage.

Favorable Policy Environment Supports Growth

Continued government policy support has provided a solid foundation for the steady growth of the cold chain logistics industry. The release of the “National Cold Chain Logistics Development Plan (2021-2025)” has set clear development goals for the industry, proposing measures such as strengthening cold chain infrastructure, improving transportation efficiency, and perfecting cold chain standards. In the first half of 2024, local governments further promoted the industry’s growth by building cold chain logistics parks and reducing transportation taxes for cold chain logistics companies.

Looking Ahead

With expanding market demand, improving technological capabilities, and a favorable policy environment, China’s cold chain logistics industry is expected to continue its steady growth. By 2025, the market size is projected to exceed 5 trillion yuan. In the face of rapid development, cold chain logistics companies must continuously enhance their technical capabilities and optimize operational management models to maintain a competitive edge in the market.

As a leading company in the IoT field, EELINK Communication has successfully integrated wireless communication technology with cold chain logistics, providing comprehensive and precise temperature monitoring solutions through 20 years of technological expertise. Its self-developed BTT01 device, equipped with a high-precision temperature sensor and BLE 5.0 technology, is specifically designed for cold chain transportation, enabling real-time broadcasting of temperature data and seamless integration with GPS tracking systems to ensure end-to-end monitoring. The BTT01 can monitor multiple temperature points inside cold chain vehicles and extend battery life through low-power Bluetooth technology, ensuring the continuity and accuracy of temperature data during transportation.

EELINK Communication is committed to driving the intelligent and digital transformation of the cold chain logistics industry. With strong technological prowess and extensive practical experience, the company provides reliable technical support to the industry. Whether in asset management, vehicle monitoring, or cold chain temperature control, EELINK Communication showcases the extraordinary wisdom and vision that will shape the future of the industry.