India’s cold chain sector to reach Rs 5 lakh crore by 2030 thanks to technology and infrastructure: DPIIT

India’s cold chain sector is expected to reach Rs 5 lakh crore by 2030 or 2032, driven by technological advancements, infrastructure development and industry-academia collaboration, he said Dr. Surendra Ahirwar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

Speaking at the FICCI Cold Chain and Logistics Summit, Dr. Ahirwar highlighted the key role of the sector in ensuring food security and reducing waste, while citing several key innovations driving the sector’s growth.

Currently, India’s cold chain sector, which boasts a turnover of around Rs 2 lakh crore growing at a rate of over 10 per cent annually, will see several key innovations including temperature-controlled storage, ice battery technology and efficient packaging solutions, he said dr .

During his speech, he also highlighted the government’s efforts to create an enabling environment for these changes, in particular through Prime Minister GatiShakti’s National Master Plan, which is accelerating the implementation of infrastructure projects, including temperature-controlled warehouses.

Additionally, the National Logistics Policy introduced in 2022 comprehensively takes into account various aspects of the logistics sector, including the cold chain.

Asheesh Fotedar, Chief Operating Officer of the National Center for Cold Chain Development (NCCD) at the Ministry of Agriculture, discussed NCCD initiatives to improve India’s cold chain infrastructure, with a focus on sustainability, efficiency and innovation. The NCCD reviews technical standards and guidelines for the implementation of cold chain components across the country, providing a roadmap for both central and state government bodies.

NCCD is also developing a mobile application to digitize data related to cold chain components. This application aims to increase capacity utilization, reduce fuel costs and minimize carbon footprint, while capturing vital logistics data for policymaking and analysis.

Amit Kumar, Co-Chairman, FICCI Logistics Committee and Director, Pristine Logistics and Infraprojectsstressed the importance of sustainable infrastructure and smart technologies to optimize energy consumption and reduce environmental impact.

“We are at a pivotal moment where technology diffusion, policy initiatives and market demand are creating unparalleled opportunities for the cold chain sector. By putting sustainability first, we can mitigate environmental impacts, maintain economic viability and strengthen food security,” Kumar said.

The summit also released the FICCI-Grant Thornton Bharat report titled ‘Cold Chain Dynamics: Mapping India’s Logistics Transformation’, which highlights the dynamic nature of the Indian food processing industry and the critical role of the cold chain sector in addressing infrastructure gaps and high costs.