In addition to the challenges facing logistics, the cold chain also faces other challenges, as indicated by Arturo Frías, specialist and consultant, who warned that the logistics of products that require temperature control, such as food, ice cream and pharmaceuticals, represents between 15% and 20% of the total value of the product , due to the operational complexity and the necessary infrastructure.

During the 17th Cold Chain Congress , the specialist highlighted that Mexico still faces a significant lag in installed capacity. Currently, the country has around 15 million cubic meters (m3) of cold storage, well below the 130 million m3 of the United States , reflecting a significant gap compared to potential demand.

Given this scenario, he stressed that one of the main challenges is to increase infrastructure, reduce costs, and strengthen regulatory compliance throughout the supply chain.

He also stressed the need to promote collaborative schemes between companies, such as the sharing of logistics networks to generate efficiencies.

“The competition isn’t about sharing infrastructure, but about the market. Logistical synergies can generate very significant savings,” he stated.

Frías also highlighted the growing role of technology, from real-time monitoring to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize operations, as well as the importance of improving transport configuration, category integration, and packaging engineering to reduce costs.

For his part, Manuel Córdova, Director of Consumer and Automotive Logistics at Schnellecke Logistics , outlined other challenges and opportunities in the sector.

From his experience at one of the logistics operators with a strong presence in the country, the executive highlighted that the evolution of the sector has been marked by the need to generate value beyond the simple transfer of goods.

“Logistics is not just moving a product from point A to point B. It’s understanding everything that happens before, during, and after, especially when we’re talking about sensitive products like food or pharmaceuticals,” he said.

Córdova explained that Schnellecke Logistics, of German origin, began operations in Mexico more than two decades ago focused on the automotive sector, but has evolved towards industries such as consumer goods and cold chain.

This process involved transferring operational capabilities , but also learning new complexities, such as managing expiration dates, temperature control, and health regulations.

“The reality is that the cold chain has a completely different level of complexity,” he acknowledged.

One of the main challenges in the cold chain is optimizing storage and distribution in highly variable environments . Today, customers demand solutions that integrate frozen, chilled, and dry goods in the same space.

This implies high investments, not only in infrastructure, but also in energy and regulatory compliance.

“The challenge is how to optimize the same space to handle different types of products, with different needs, without driving up costs,” he explained.

Furthermore, factors such as seasonality further complicate operations. Product demand fluctuates throughout the year, leading to peaks and troughs in infrastructure utilization.

For Córdova, if there is a key concept in the cold chain, it is traceability .

“The key word to remember is traceability. There is nothing more important in the sector, because any failure can have implications for consumer health,” he emphasized.

Detailed product tracking from origin to shelf not only ensures quality, but also enables more efficient operational decisions and reduces losses.

On the other hand, beyond transportation, the logistical cost in the cold chain is deeply influenced by factors such as shrinkage, expiration, and temperature chain breakage.

“It’s not about filling a truck, but about understanding the real cost of losing product due to mismanagement or breaking the cold chain,” he stressed.

In this regard, he highlighted the importance of processes such as the correct assembly of orders, including logic of weight, rotation and expiration, as well as the use of algorithms and systems to optimize the operation.

Infrastructure and sustainability

Mexico still faces significant challenges in cold chain logistics infrastructure. Although the country maintains a middle position globally, its growth potential is significant.

Added to this is the pressure to reduce the carbon footprint, especially in highly energy-intensive operations.

“The cold chain consumes a lot of energy. We have to find ways to be more efficient and sustainable, because it is also a social responsibility,” he pointed out.

One of the most relevant points of the presentation was the need to promote collaborative models between companies, even competitors, to share logistics infrastructure.

“Why not share space in warehouses or transport? In the end, the consumer doesn’t see who moved the product, they only see price, quality and availability,” he said.

This co-distribution approach would reduce costs, optimize resources, and improve the efficiency of the system as a whole.

The executive also stressed the importance of integrating technology, although he acknowledged that full automation still faces barriers in Mexico, mainly due to costs.

However, he insisted that tools such as warehouse management systems (WMS) , data analytics, and cybersecurity are no longer optional.

“You can’t operate without digital traceability or without protecting your information. Today, even a WhatsApp message can compromise an entire logistics operation,” he warned.

He also highlighted the challenge of training specialized talent capable of handling sensitive products under strict operating conditions.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn: @Jennifer Galindo / @GrupoT21

El cargo Cold chain in Mexico, with high costs and infrastructure lag apareció primero en T21.

Fleet renewal remains one of the biggest challenges for the trucking industry in Mexico . For carriers, the decision to replace vehicles is not only driven by the operating cycle or contractual obligations, but also by an environment where price, mechanical reliability, and legal certainty don’t always go hand in hand.

For small and medium-sized business owners , the pressure to keep their units in operation often leads them to opt for immediate solutions that may compromise their future performance, according to Alfredo Amador, CEO of Panamotors .

One of the factors that continues to distort the market is the importation of used trucks from the United States. Although these units are highly competitive in price, their mechanical and legal history is not always clear.

Despite the fact that the National Chamber of Freight Transportation (Canacar) , the National Association of Bus, Truck and Tractor-Trailer Producers (ANPACT) , together with the Ministries of  Economy (SE)  and  Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat),  promoted the Agreement on Environmental Conditions in the Importation of Used Vehicles , which seeks to prevent the entry into the country of units more than 10 years old, the market for imported used trucks continues to represent a challenge for the sector , particularly due to the persistence of units with high operational wear and tear and legal and mechanical risks for carriers.

According to Panamotors, many of these vehicles arrive with over a million miles on the odometer, significantly increasing maintenance requirements and post-purchase costs. Added to this is the risk of improper import procedures, which can restrict their use on certain routes or create documentation problems for the carrier.

In this context, the challenge for the sector is not only accessing more affordable units, but also evaluating the viability of the investment in the medium and long term. For large fleets, the challenge lies in maintaining previously budgeted operating costs , where fuel efficiency and maintenance frequency become critical variables. For growing carriers, price remains a determining factor, but it is increasingly important to have certainty about the actual condition of the purchased unit.

Given this scenario, Amador explained that companies in the used truck market have focused their strategy on meeting a wider range of operational needs, from light trucks to tractor-trailers and vocational equipment.

This approach responds to a reality in the sector: carriers do not face the same challenges at all stages of their growth , and the investment decision is often conditioned by the lack of clear information about the history and actual conditions of the available units, the executive explained.

One of the main challenges for the used car market remains raising the standard of an activity that has historically operated with high levels of informality, he added.

The professionalization of processes, the traceability of units, and the certainty regarding the return on invested capital appear as key elements in an environment where the tractor-trailer continues to be a productive asset , whose value depends, to a large extent, on its ability to remain in constant operation.

In a context marked by economic uncertainty and financial pressure on carriers, the discussion surrounding used vehicles is no longer focused solely on the purchase price and is shifting towards factors such as operational continuity, risk management and the economic sustainability of the investment over time.

According to ANPACT, for every 100 newly assembled trucks, 61 used ones enter Mexico, representing a significant safety hazard on the country’s highways, as many of these vehicles have already reached one million miles. The organization reports that between 2022 and 2024, imports of these types of vehicles increased from 8,071 to 29,790, a growth of approximately 269 percent.

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El cargo Structural challenges in fleet renewal put pressure on the trucking industry apareció primero en T21.