The refrigerated transport market is very competitive and, in the case of Spain, the profile of the companies that predominate are those dedicated exclusively to the transport – with a high degree of specialization – of this type of goods.

In a context where the tasks of transport are increasingly complex, the current cold logistics is facing factors such as:

• • Changes in consumer behavior.
  • The gradual incorporation of autonomous trucks.
  • Greater acquisition of food products in large cities.

At RFL, an expert in customised logistics solutions, we have already talked about the controlled atmosphere, but we must also bear in mind that experts say that people are increasingly moving less to supermarkets and large stores. For this reason, manufacturers, distributors and their logistics operators will have to adapt to this reality which will be transforming this area of logistics.

The challenge of digitization

Today, cold logistics is still very much paper-based, and is very little digitized in the opinion of professionals and experts in the supply chain, often gathered at international trade fairs or symposiums. They also point out that there are many stumbling blocks in the flow of information, and partly because of the high specifications of the distributors.

These are extremely important issues that must be taken into account by the industry in countries such as Spain, a world power in the traffic of perishable goods, which in 2018 exported more than 12.5 million tons of products abroad.

Spain, world leader in export-import of refrigerated products

The export activity of perishables from Spain meant revenues of 12.832 million euros in 2018. Nearly 12% of these exports, over 1.6 million tonnes, were made by sea, with the ports of Barcelona, Valencia, Bahía de Algeciras, Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Bahía de Cádiz and Bilbao accounting for the largest share of port movements (88% of the total).

It should be borne in mind that the main markets for fruit and fresh produce are in Africa, Central and South America, especially the Gulf of Mexico, North Africa and Spain. From these maritime export points, perishable products are directed to import areas such as the Middle or Far East.