Every year, Pakistan loses billions of rupees in potential agricultural export revenue due to post-harvest losses. Fruits rot, vegetables lose freshness, and dairy products fail quality checks—not because of poor produce quality, but due to inadequate cold chain infrastructure.
If Pakistan wants to compete globally in agri exports, building a reliable cold chain system is no longer optional—it’s essential.
What is a Cold Chain and Why It Matters?
A cold chain is a temperature-controlled supply chain that preserves the freshness, safety, and quality of perishable products. It includes:
- Cold storage warehouses
- Refrigerated transport (reefers, trucks, containers)
- Export port handling facilities
- End-to-end temperature monitoring systems
For agri exports like mangoes, kinnow, meat, seafood, and dairy, the cold chain ensures compliance with international food safety standards.
The Current Challenges in Pakistan
- Post-Harvest Losses: Around 30–40% of fruits and vegetables are wasted due to lack of proper storage.
- Limited Cold Storage: Most cold storages are located in Punjab, leaving Sindh and KP under-served.
- High Energy Costs: Running refrigeration is expensive, discouraging small farmers and exporters.
- Lack of Standardization: International buyers demand temperature logs and certifications, which many exporters can’t provide.
Opportunities for Exporters
- Mango & Kinnow Exports – With proper cold chain, shelf life increases by 2–3 weeks, opening markets in Europe and North America.
- Meat & Dairy Products – Middle Eastern demand for halal-certified chilled/frozen meat is rising.
- Fisheries – Pakistan can massively boost seafood exports if it invests in refrigerated sea freight.
- Partnerships – Exporters can collaborate with logistics firms to access plug-and-play cold chain solutions.
The Way Forward
- Government Incentives for cold storage setups near production hubs.
- Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to develop cold chain corridors.
- Technology Adoption – IoT temperature trackers and blockchain-based food traceability.
- Exporter Education – Training farmers/exporters in handling perishable exports with cold chain logistics.
✅ With the right cold chain infrastructure, Pakistan can reduce waste, expand market reach, and compete in premium export markets. This is the missing link between Pakistan’s agricultural potential and global competitiveness.