India’s cold chain network is entering a phase of unprecedented expansion as the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) intensifies investment in integrated post-harvest infrastructure under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana (PMKSY). With food losses still accounting for a significant economic drag across high-value perishables, the government’s renewed focus on seamless farm-to-market cold logistics marks a critical push toward reducing waste, increasing export competitiveness and enhancing farmer income.

At the core of this infrastructure drive is the PMKSY component on Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure—India’s flagship programme aimed at building end-to-end, temperature-controlled supply chains without breakpoints from the farm gate to the consumer.

Out of 404 projects sanctioned across the country, 300 have already been completed, reflecting steady progress in strengthening post-harvest capabilities. The nationwide cold chain ecosystem built under the scheme is now supported by 1,924 pack houses, 6,485 reefer vans, 616 ripening chambers, and a rapidly expanding network of cold storages, with Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat emerging as major nodes of activity. The granular state-wise data underscores both the uneven distribution of cold chain capacity and the growing momentum in horticulture-dominant regions eager to cut losses and scale value-added exports.

Even as infrastructure expands, MoFPI maintains that temperature parameters, handling protocols and hygiene standards cannot be universally standardised because each food commodity—from poultry to fruits to dairy—requires a distinct thermal and processing profile. Instead, monitoring responsibilities are carried out by multiple agencies depending on the equipment, technology and sectoral guidelines in force. This decentralised oversight model, the Ministry notes, allows for flexibility while ensuring that quality control frameworks remain intact.

Budget utilisation figures for the Cold Chain Scheme illustrate a measured but consistent deployment of funds over the past five years. In 2021–22, the scheme utilised Rs 225.31 crore against a revised estimate of Rs 263 crore. Expenditure stood at Rs 203.07 crore in 2022–23, Rs 175.4 crore in 2023–24, and Rs 113.52 crore in 2024–25. For the current financial year 2025–26, expenditure has reached Rs 65.43 crore as of November 27, 2025. While allocations have tapered in line with broader fiscal adjustments, the ongoing disbursals confirm continued commitment to cold chain expansion across states.

India’s processed food export performance provides an indicative link to these infrastructure improvements. Over the last five years, export earnings across key commodity categories show strong upward movement in high-value segments such as edible preparations, cereal-based products, fruit and vegetable preparations, and cocoa derivatives. Miscellaneous edible preparations, for instance, rose from Rs 6,905.59 crore in 2020–21 to Rs 14,506.54 crore in 2024–25. Fruit and vegetable preparations surged from Rs 5,203.05 crore to Rs 10,359.29 crore in the same period.

Even traditionally small categories such as cocoa preparations posted a steep increase, reflecting both rising global demand and improved processing capacity. However, categories such as sugar and residues from the food industry displayed volatility linked to global price cycles and regulatory interventions. Overall, processed food exports moved from Rs 63,367.47 crore in 2020–21 to Rs 1,05,172.39 crore in 2022–23 before stabilising at Rs 85,531.77 crore in 2024–25, signaling a sector still navigating global demand fluctuations but steadily upgrading its domestic infrastructure.

MoFPI officials emphasise that the expansion of cold chains is not only reducing post-harvest losses but also enabling farmers and processors to shift from distress sales to value-added, longer-cycle markets. States with high horticultural intensity, such as Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh, now report deeper integration of pack houses, pre-cooling units and reefer connectivity into their supply chains, helping perishable commodities reach both domestic and export markets in better condition. Regions like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have strengthened cold chain infrastructure for apples, stone fruits and niche mountain crops, while states such as Tamil Nadu and Gujarat are leveraging improved cold logistics for dairy, marine products and ready-to-eat categories.

By building one of the world’s most extensive publicly supported cold chain networks, India is aligning its food processing sector with global efficiency and quality standards. The continued monitoring of projects, progressive budget utilisation and the visible link with rising high-value exports reflect a sector transitioning from fragmented, loss-prone supply chains to integrated systems capable of supporting a modern agri-food economy.