Global Cold Storage Capacity
Every even year, the International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW) collects data on worldwide cold storage capacity, focusing specifically on public refrigerated warehouse space. The Global Cold Storage Capacity report provides information on growth in emerging markets, growth trends in global capacity, market development indicators, characteristics of today's refrigerated warehouses in different parts of the world, and an analysis of selected key markets. The report also includes data on global cold storage capacity going since 1998.
Purchase
The 28-page report includes 10 tables and 9 charts detailing the global cold storage industry. The Global Cold Storage Capacity Report is available to members of IARW free of charge. Log in to member resources to download the report. Nonmembers may purchase the report. Non-profit organizations interested in obtaining a copy of the report should contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
The Global Cold Storage Capacity Report was prepared by Victoria Salin under contract to the IARW. Salin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University specializing in agribusiness management and finance. Dr. Salin is chief financial officer of the Agribusiness, Food & Consumer Economics Research Center (http://AFCERC.tamu.edu) and leads research and outreach projects relating to food safety, traceability, financial markets, and strategic management.
Summary
Total capacity of refrigerated warehouses is estimated at 458 million cubic meters worldwide in 2010, of which 310 million cubic meters is public warehouses (for hire). During the last two years, approximately 192 million cubic meters of additional refrigerated warehouse capacity has been added to the IARW database. Of the additional capacity since 2008, 55 million cubic meters are public refrigerated warehouse space. The increase of public refrigerated warehousing worldwide is 20% over the two years, or 10% compound annual growth rate. The largest cold storage industries are in the USA, India, and China.
Refrigerated Warehouse Capacity, by Country, 2008 or 2010 as Available
| 2010 | 2008 | |
| Country | Million m3 | Million m3 |
| Argentina | - | 0.50 |
| Australia | - | 6.00 |
| Austria | - | 0.80 |
| Azerbaijan | 0.31 | - |
| Bangladesh | - | 7.76 |
| Belgium | - | 2.00 |
| Brazil | 5.71 | 4.50 |
| Canada | - | 6.89 |
| Chile | 4.01 | 0.87 |
| China | 61.39 | 15.00 |
| Colombia | 0.09 | 0.12 |
| Costa Rica | 0.35 | 0.09 |
| Denmark | - | 1.90 |
| El Salvador | 0.23 | - |
| Finland | - | 1.80 |
| France | - | 8.50 |
| Germany | 21.80 | 13.40 |
| Great Britain | - | 5.60 |
| Greece | - | 0.90 |
| Guatemala | 0.33 | 0.07 |
| India | 105.14 | 18.58 |
| Ireland | - | 1.70 |
| Italy | - | 3.50 |
| Japan | 34.06 | 28.38 |
| Malaysia | - | 0.01 |
| Mauritius | - | 0.03 |
| Mexico | 4.07 | 1.35 |
| Moldova | 0.77 | - |
| Namibia | - | 0.04 |
| Netherlands | - | 12.60 |
| Nicaragua | 0.21 | - |
| Norway | - | 1.50 |
| Panama | 0.45 | - |
| Peru | 0.42 | 0.08 |
| Poland | - | 0.30 |
| Portugal | - | 0.80 |
| Russia | 16.12 | 16.00 |
| Serbia | 1.29 | - |
| South Africa | - | 0.44 |
| South Korea | 7.00 | - |
| Spain | - | 8.20 |
| Sweden | - | 0.9 |
| Switzerland | - | 1.00 |
| Turkey | - | 0.40 |
| USA | 107.48 | 70.74 |
| Venezuela | - | 0.35 |
Participate
IARW invites interested trade associations, embassies, or government agencies to share cold storage capacity data and information about countries around the world. The data collected helps the private and public sector understand and idenitfy trends in the cold chain as well as gaps in cold chain infrastructure. Survey participants receive a complimentary copy of the report. If you are interested in participating in the 2012 survey, please contact Tori Miller at +1 703 373 4306 x208 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Download a copy of the 2010 survey.
Links
IARW Global Top 25 List - public refrigerated warehouses (PRWs) with the greatest capacity of warehouse space in the world
IARW North American Top 25 List - public refrigerated warehouses (PRWs) with the greatest capacity of warehouse space in North America
USDA NASS Cold Storage Monthly Summary - contains U.S. regional and national end-of-month stocks of meats, dairy products, poultry products, fruits, nuts, and vegetables in public, private and semi-private refrigerated warehouses
USDA NASS Cold Storage Annual Summary - contains the U.S. annual regional and national totals for end-of-month holdings of meat, dairy products, poultry products, fruits, nuts and vegetables in public, private, and semi-private refrigerated warehouses
USDA NASS Capacity of Refrigerated Warehouses - presents data on the number of refrigerated warehouses by type and size group for states and US; includes public, private and semiprivate general warehouse capacity, apple and pear storage capacity; gross space and usable space for refigerator, cooler or freezer space
