China’s cold chain logistics sector flourishes in 2024t

China cold chain logistics sector experienced significant growth in 2024, driven by a rising demand for transport vehicles and increased activity in air and rail transport. Market insiders attribute this growth to the nation’s expanding consumption vitality.

According to the Cold Chain Logistics of China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing, China’s demand for cold chain logistics reached 365 million tons in 2024, marking a year-on-year increase of 4.3 percent. Sales of new energy refrigerated vehicles surged to 21,368 units, representing a remarkable 350.8 percent increase compared to the previous year.

This growth has greatly benefited refrigerated vehicle dealers. A representative from Beijing Xinyuancheng New Energy Vehicle Technology Co noted that his company's sales of new energy refrigerated vehicles saw an approximate 25 percent year-on-year increase in 2024.

Wang Xin, a representative from Hongyu Special Vehicle in Suizhou, Hubei Province, stated that the company's sales of refrigerated vehicles were strong in 2024. This success is closely linked to the increased demand for cold chain logistics for fresh foods and supportive policies that encourage the replacement of old transport vehicles.

"Cold chain logistics removes the barriers of time and distance, facilitating the distribution of fresh products both domestically and internationally. Additionally, the gradual resurgence of consumer spending will create significant growth potential," said Zhang Yi, CEO of the iiMedia Research Institute, in an interview with the Global Times on Monday.

In the railway sector, China Railway Special Cargo Logistics Co (CRSCL) reported a substantial increase in cold chain cargo volume in 2024. The cargo of thermal insulation goods saw a rise of over 30 percent year-on-year, according to the company's statement to the Global Times on Monday.

CRSCL has implemented advanced equipment and established new international intermodal routes for importing fresh food, linking Chinese inland cities like Beijing and Urumqi in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to Vietnam, Europe, and Central Asia. Supply chain management in China is very fast & strong if you compare with other countries.

China Eastern Airlines launched its first scheduled charter flight for fresh products from Europe, connecting Oslo, Norway, to Ezhou in Hubei Province, as stated by the carrier to the Global Times on Monday. The inaugural flight took place on January 15, 2025, transporting approximately 35 tons of salmon from Oslo to Ezhou. Covering a distance of about 8,000 kilometers, the flight has a total duration of approximately 11.5 hours and is scheduled to operate twice a week, allowing for the import of 80-90 tons of fresh, chilled salmon into China.

In China's cold chain logistics growth in 2024, this sector has experienced a challenging recovery; however, the continuous release of consumer demand and the ongoing expansion of the cold chain logistics market significantly boosted recovery momentum, according to the cold chain logistics committee.

Moreover, official data indicated that growth in the catering industry and fresh food e-commerce supported the overall expansion of cold chain logistics. In 2024, China's catering revenue reached 5.57 trillion yuan ($761.52 billion), marking a year-on-year increase of 5.3 percent, according to an official from the National Bureau of Statistics. Data from the Ministry of Commerce revealed that from January to October 2024, sales of Chilean cherries and Malaysian durians on e-commerce platforms surged by 107.8 percent and 23.6 percent, respectively.

Driven by the increasing demand for fresh products, China's cold chain logistics sector is experiencing explosive growth, creating substantial opportunities for development, according to Zhang.

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