GCCA’s new Top 25 Cold Chain list shows growth in European capacity last year
The new Global Top 25 List of temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics, published by the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA), shows the vital increase in capacity being delivered by cold chain businesses in Europe in response to rising demand for temperature-controlled logistics services.
The annual list recognises the association’s largest temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics members, determined by the total reported capacity of temperature-controlled space in GCCA membership.
The 2026 list shows that Europe’s Top 10 temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics businesses now operate 45.3mn cubic metres of temperature-controlled space, up from 40.2mn cubic metres in 2025.
The Global Top 25 temperature-controlled warehousing and logistics businesses now operate 219.7mn cubic metres) of temperature-controlled space, an increase of 6.3 per cent on 2025.
“The growth is a deceleration from the 8.3 per cent expansion recorded in 2025, as higher interest rates and tightening market conditions made operators more selective about new development,” GCCA said. “Regional performance tells a more nuanced story, with Latin America leading at 8.6 per cent growth driven largely by M&A activity. North America and Europe reflect more measured organic investment in a cautious capital environment.”
Presenting the findings at the GCCA Convention 2026 in Arizona this week, the association’s president & CEO, Sara Stickler, said: “Europe’s top cold storage companies have continued expanding their capacity over the past year, continuing a decade-long trend driven by growing demand.
“Cold chain services are essential for keeping food and many other temperature sensitive goods safe. Demand keeps rising as populations grow, consumer preferences evolve, and complex global supply chains navigate disruptions and challenges. By investing in capacity, technology, and workforce skills, third-party cold chain operators are well-positioned to meet future needs despite challenging market conditions.”
Today’s Global Top 25 List shows that while US-headquartered operators continue to lead the global rankings, European and Latin American regional businesses are expanding their footprint. Since 2025:
- Global Top 25 capacity increased by 13.0mn cubic metres, now operating 219.7mn cubic metres of temperature-controlled space.
- North America Top 25 capacity increased by 7.4mn cubic metres, now operating 148.9mn cubic meters of temperature-controlled space.
- European Top 10 capacity increased by 4.9mn cubic metres, now operating 45.3mn cubic metres of temperature-controlled space.
- Latin America Top 10 capacity increased by 159,000 cubic metres, now operating 18mn cubic metres of temperature-controlled space.
GCCA membership includes 1,500+ temperature-controlled facilities and members in over 92 countries. Warehouse members offer a range of logistics solutions, including storage, transportation, processing, blast freezing, exports, and more.
