ABA cold storage in HCM City. — Photo haiquanonline.com.vn

Research firm Forrester forecasts online shopping in Asia-Pacific will grow by 30 per cent annually by 2024.

Trang Bui, senior director of markets, JLL Vietnam, said the seafood export sector occupied the largest area of ​​cold storehouses in Vietnam.

During the peak period of the COVID-19 pandemic, up to 30 - 50 per cent of seafood export orders were cancelled, leading to an increase in inventories, causing cold storehouses to operate at maximum capacity.

Supply was constrained in part because cold storehouse facilities take more time to build than other types of logistics properties. The construction of cold storehouses is more complicated and expensive than standard warehouses, said Trang.

The investment cost of cold storehouses is two to three times higher than that of standard warehouses, and the construction process can take up to six months. Besides, the lease term usually lasts from 15 years to 20 years, making the already scarce supply even more scarce, Trang added.

Michael Ignatiadis, head of Supply Chain & Logistics Solutions, JLL Asia Pacific, said Asia's rapidly growing population and middle class, increasing demand for fresh food, was driving demand for cold storehouses.

The potential of cold storehouses has attracted the attention of real estate investors, venture capital funds and lenders. Investors are also considering cold storehouse as an alternative to traditional industrial real estate and logistics companies are looking to expand into new markets.

JLL Vietnam reported cold storage for seafood operated most effectively within a distance of 50km to ports, while items such as vegetables and fruits should be located near urban areas.

Currently, the supply of cold storage is mainly in the southern region due to great demand, of which, about 60 per cent of the market share is held by foreign investors.

JLL experts also shared that for Vietnam to enter the next phase of the industrial and logistics cycle and move ahead of regional counterparts, it was vitally important to continue spending significant amounts on infrastructure, including both highways and utility networks, including renewable energy.

Also, Vietnam's cross-border trade process, which includes both time and costs, still needs significant improvements.  VNS

Vietnam sees strong demand for cold storage facilities

A strong demand for fruits and vegetables is driving food hygiene and safety requirements in Vietnam, which in turn are spurring investments in new cold storage facilities, said Cushman & Wakefield, in a recent report.

Government support needed for investment in cold storage, says VASEP

The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the shortage of cold storage space in HCM City and surrounding areas as goods pile up as a result of lack of demand.