The Future of Food Chains

CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD

SUPPLY AND STORAGE: RESHAPING FOOD CHAINS

COLD STORAGE

As well as predominantly handling food, the cold chain network has seen an increase in demand as a result of both rising inventory levels and secondary customer groups such as the pharmaceutical sector requiring additional space to handle cold stored pharmaceuticals.

Another critical component of the food chain is the cold storage network responsible for handling food goods that require non-ambient temperatures.

DISTRIBUTION OF COLD CHAIN FACILITIES

Source: UK Cold Chain Federation, 2023

200

150

100

50

0

EAST MIDLANDS

SOUTH EAST

YORKSHIRE & THE HUMBER SOUTH WEST NORTH WEST

EAST OF ENGLAND

WALES WEST MIDLANDS

SCOTLAND

NORTH EAST

GREATER LONDON

NORTHERN IRELAND

Cold chain facilities often operate in facilities close to sea-ports with strong connectivity to urban conurbations, and regional and national distribution centres. As such the distribution of cold storage units within the United Kingdom has favoured the South East (15% of properties), and the Midlands (24% combined East and West).