Top 7 China Cold Chain Logistics Companies & Startups 2025
China's cold chain logistics market has grown rapidly, driven by rising demand for fresh food e-commerce, pharmaceutical distribution, and vaccine storage. The market exceeded RMB 600 billion in 2024 and is projected to surpass RMB 800 billion by 2026. Government regulations on food safety and pharmaceutical cold chain compliance have accelerated investment in temperature-controlled warehousing and transportation infrastructure.
TL;DR: China's cold chain logistics sector is consolidating around major players like JD Logistics, SF Cold Chain, and Cold Chain All (Baixiang), with rapid expansion in pharmaceutical-grade facilities and multi-temperature warehousing. IoT-based real-time temperature monitoring is becoming standard across the industry.
Top Companies
JD Logistics (2618.HK)
RMB 30B+ cold chain revenueJD Logistics operates China's largest B2C cold chain network with over 100 temperature-controlled warehouses and 30,000+ cold chain vehicles. Its pharma cold chain covers 95% of Chinese cities with GSP-certified facilities.
SF Cold Chain
200+ cold warehousesSF Cold Chain operates over 200 cold chain warehouses nationwide with combined storage capacity exceeding 3 million cubic meters. Its proprietary IoT platform enables real-time temperature tracking across the entire supply chain.
Cold Chain All (Baixiang)
1,500+ service pointsCold Chain All is China's leading cold chain logistics platform, connecting shippers with cold chain carriers through its digital platform. It covers 1,500+ service points and specializes in fresh produce and meat distribution.
Sinotrans Cold Chain
50+ cities coveredSinotrans (China Merchants Group) operates international and domestic cold chain logistics with specialized pharma-grade facilities across 50+ cities. Its cross-border cold chain handles seafood, fruit, and pharmaceutical imports.
Rokin Logistics (中通冷链)
40+ transit centersRokin Logistics, ZTO Express's cold chain arm, has built 40+ temperature-controlled transit centers and leverages ZTO's nationwide express network for last-mile cold delivery in underserved markets.
Haier Biomedical
Ultra-low temp leaderHaier Biomedical specializes in ultra-low temperature cold chain equipment and solutions, dominating China's vaccine and biological sample storage market. Its smart cold chain containers support -86°C storage for mRNA vaccines.
KKR-backed Boxed Cold (鲜生活冷链)
300+ citiesFresh Living Cold Chain operates a digital cold chain platform covering 300+ cities, focusing on fresh grocery e-commerce fulfillment. KKR invested USD 600 million in 2024 to expand its multi-temperature warehouse network.
Comparison Table
| Company | Cold Warehouses | Temperature Range | Key Strength | Annual Revenue (RMB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JD Logistics | 100+ | -25°C to +25°C | B2C fresh food & pharma | 30B+ |
| SF Cold Chain | 200+ | -60°C to +25°C | IoT real-time tracking | 15B+ |
| Cold Chain All | 50+ | -30°C to +15°C | Digital platform model | 8B+ |
| Sinotrans Cold Chain | 80+ | -86°C to +25°C | Cross-border pharma | 12B+ |
| Rokin (ZTO) | 40+ | -25°C to +15°C | Express network synergy | 5B+ |
| Haier Biomedical | Global | -86°C to +8°C | Ultra-low temp equipment | 10B+ |
| Fresh Living | 60+ | -25°C to +15°C | Fresh grocery e-commerce | 7B+ |
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is China's cold chain logistics market?
China's cold chain logistics market reached RMB 600 billion in 2024 and is growing at 15-20% annually. The market is projected to exceed RMB 800 billion by 2026, driven by fresh food e-commerce and pharmaceutical distribution.
What are the biggest challenges in China's cold chain logistics?
Key challenges include high energy costs for refrigeration, uneven infrastructure between Tier 1 and rural areas, lack of standardized temperature monitoring, and the high cost of ultra-low temperature equipment for pharmaceutical cold chain.
How does IoT improve cold chain logistics in China?
IoT sensors enable real-time temperature and humidity monitoring throughout the supply chain. Major Chinese companies use blockchain-verified IoT data to ensure compliance with pharmaceutical GSP standards and food safety regulations.
Which companies lead in pharmaceutical cold chain in China?
JD Logistics, SF Cold Chain, and Sinotrans lead China's pharmaceutical cold chain, offering GSP-certified warehousing, temperature-controlled transportation, and end-to-end visibility for vaccines, biologics, and temperature-sensitive medicines.
What role does government policy play in cold chain development?
China's government has introduced multiple policies supporting cold chain infrastructure, including subsidies for cold warehouse construction, mandatory cold chain standards for food and pharma, and the 14th Five-Year Plan target to reduce food loss by 50% through improved cold chain.