Refrigerated Trailers

Global Refrigerated Trailers Market to Reach US$7.3 Billion by 2030

The global market for Refrigerated Trailers estimated at US$5.8 Billion in the year 2024, is expected to reach US$7.3 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3.7% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Chilled Food, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is expected to record a 4.7% CAGR and reach US$4.6 Billion by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the Frozen Food segment is estimated at 2.1% CAGR over the analysis period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at US$1.6 Billion While China is Forecast to Grow at 7.1% CAGR

The Refrigerated Trailers market in the U.S. is estimated at US$1.6 Billion in the year 2024. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$1.5 Billion by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 7.1% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at a CAGR of 1.4% and 2.9% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 2.1% CAGR.

Global Refrigerated Trailers Market - Key Trends & Drivers Summarized

Why Are Refrigerated Trailers Becoming Indispensable in Modern Supply Chains?
Refrigerated trailers-commonly known as “reefers”-are essential to maintaining cold chain integrity across global logistics operations. These temperature-controlled transport units are used to move perishable goods such as food, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and floral products. The growing complexity and scale of international trade, urban food distribution networks, and pharmaceutical logistics are intensifying demand for flexible and reliable mobile refrigeration solutions. Unlike static cold storage units, refrigerated trailers offer mobility, enabling end-to-end cold chain coverage in both short-haul and long-haul distribution environments.

Advancements in real-time monitoring and onboard telematics have significantly enhanced reefer functionality, allowing logistics operators to track temperature fluctuations, humidity levels, and door status during transit. These capabilities not only prevent spoilage and regulatory violations but also support automated documentation for GDP (Good Distribution Practices) and HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) compliance. With global food safety standards tightening and pharma regulations such as WHO GDP guidelines mandating strict temperature ranges, refrigerated trailers have become an operational necessity across regional and international shipping routes.

Which End-Use Sectors Are Driving Demand for Refrigerated Trailers Globally?
Food and beverage logistics continue to dominate reefer demand, especially in categories such as frozen meats, dairy, seafood, ready-to-eat meals, and fresh produce. Rising consumption of frozen and chilled food, particularly in urbanizing regions across Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East, has placed enormous emphasis on dependable cold transport. Seasonal produce exporters-such as those dealing in berries, avocados, and tropical fruits-also rely heavily on reefer fleets to maintain freshness during intercontinental transit.

The pharmaceutical sector represents the fastest-growing application vertical, owing to the globalization of vaccine distribution, biologics, and temperature-sensitive APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients). COVID-19 significantly boosted awareness around cold chain logistics, particularly with mRNA vaccines requiring ultra-low temperatures. Today, demand extends to cancer therapeutics, insulin, blood derivatives, and gene therapy products. The use of refrigerated trailers in healthcare distribution is expanding to secondary and tertiary care centers in emerging markets, facilitated by hybrid trailer technologies and more robust battery-backed cooling systems.

What Are the Key Technology Trends Enhancing Refrigerated Trailer Capabilities?
Technological advancements are reshaping refrigerated trailer designs to improve thermal insulation, reduce fuel consumption, and enhance control precision. Insulation materials such as vacuum panels, high-density polyurethane foams, and reflective barriers are enabling better temperature retention. Cooling units are increasingly powered by variable-speed compressors and diesel-electric hybrid drives, which reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency. Moreover, advances in solar-assisted refrigeration and battery-electric systems are allowing limited zero-emission operation during urban deliveries and port idle times.

Remote diagnostics and fleet telematics systems are becoming integral to trailer operations. Cloud-based platforms now offer route-based predictive cooling, automated defrost cycles, and alert systems for pre-failure detection. Bluetooth and IoT-enabled sensors feed real-time data to fleet managers and cargo owners, ensuring compliance with temperature thresholds. GPS-linked systems can also optimize cooling loads by adjusting parameters based on local ambient conditions. Further, reefer trailer OEMs are embedding modular panel designs, anti-microbial interior linings, and smart access locks to meet diverse customer needs across food, pharma, and chemical sectors.

What Factors Are Driving the Growth of the Refrigerated Trailers Market?
The growth in the refrigerated trailers market is driven by global urbanization, rising demand for perishable goods, and evolving cold chain infrastructure investments. As consumer preferences shift toward online grocery delivery, meal kits, and temperature-sensitive e-commerce, logistics providers are scaling up reefer trailer capacities to meet short-turnaround distribution models. This trend is reinforced by the growth of modern retail formats such as hypermarkets and dark stores, which require micro-fulfillment cold chain support.

Government regulations related to food safety, emission standards, and pharmaceutical compliance are further incentivizing fleet modernization. Many jurisdictions now mandate GDP-compliant cold transport for medicines, and eco-zones in Europe and North America are pushing fleet operators to adopt low-emission reefer technologies. Substantial investments in cold chain infrastructure-such as reefer ports, integrated logistics parks, and smart warehouses-are enabling more cost-effective and efficient reefer trailer utilization.

In parallel, rising international trade in perishable commodities, coupled with the expansion of third-party logistics (3PL) providers specializing in cold chain services, is broadening market access for refrigerated trailer manufacturers. As automation, traceability, and sustainability become key differentiators in logistics operations, the refrigerated trailers market is poised for strong and sustained growth.

SCOPE OF STUDY:

The report analyzes the Refrigerated Trailers market in terms of units by the following Segments, and Geographic Regions/Countries:

Segments:
Usage (Chilled Food, Frozen Food)

Geographic Regions/Countries:
World; United States; Canada; Japan; China; Europe (France; Germany; Italy; United Kingdom; Spain; Russia; and Rest of Europe); Asia-Pacific (Australia; India; South Korea; and Rest of Asia-Pacific); Latin America (Argentina; Brazil; Mexico; and Rest of Latin America); Middle East (Iran; Israel; Saudi Arabia; United Arab Emirates; and Rest of Middle East); and Africa.

Select Competitors (Total 43 Featured) -

• Carrier Transicold
• CIMC Vehicles Group Co., Ltd.
• Daikin Industries Ltd.
• Gray & Adams Ltd.
• Great Dane LLC
• Hyundai Translead, Inc.
• Ingersoll Rand Inc.
• Kögel Trailer GmbH & Co. KG
• Krone Commercial Vehicle Group
• Lamberet SAS
• Manac Inc.
• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd.
• Polar King Mobile
• Randon S.A. Implementos E Participacoes
• Schmitz Cargobull AG
• Singamas Container Holdings Limited
• SOR Iberica (The Reefer Group)
• Stoughton Trailers
• Thermo King (Ingersoll Rand)
• Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company
• Wabash National Corporation

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