DECEMBER - JANUARYLOGISTICSTRANSPORTATIONREVIEW8 OPINIONIN MYIstarted my career with a background in end-to-end supply chain management for some of the largest multi-national apparel, footwear, and accessories companies. While there are many nuances to these supply chains and no customer had 100 percent the same as another, there was oftentimes a consistent theme: `China makes and the world takes.' How exciting and invigorating it was for me when I found myself, accidentally, thrust into the world of cold chain logistics. This broad term covers the production, transportation, and distribution of products that must be kept within specific temperature ranges. This `chain' of handoffs between numerous parties in the supply chain must remain unbroken or the products may lose quality, and shelf life, or altogether become ruined. Different from other industry supply chains, countries known for being the vast majority of importers suddenly become net exporters and vis-a-versa. In this world, fish are caught in Alaska, the US, sent to China to be processed, and then returned to the US as fish fillets and served in our restaurants. In this world, avocados are grown in California, Texas, and Florida and exported to the European Union while at the same time, the US imports avocados grown in Mexico and Columbia. In this world, fruits are grown in South Africa and sent to Russia. The following article will give a very high-level overview of the market and why people should care about where their food comes from and how it came to be on their plate.First, let's look into the main commodities requiring international temperature-controlled logistics. Fruit/Vegetables ­ Global market size (2023) estimated at 55.9 million (Mn) tons. The top exporting countries are situated around the equator and in the southern hemisphere whereas the top importing countries are in North America and Europe. Meat/Dairy­ Global market size (2022) is estimated at 36.2 million (Mn) tons. The top exporting countries regions are East Coast South America, Australia/New Zealand, and North America. The top importing regions are North Asia and the Middle East. Fish/Seafood ­ Global market size (2022) is estimated at 27.5 million (Mn) tons. The top exporting countries regions are South America and North Europe. The top importing regions are the Middle East, North America, and North Asia. Banana/Pineapples­ Global market size (2023) estimated at 25.2 million (Mn) tons. The top exporting countries are Ecuador, the Philippines, and Costa Rica, whereas the top importing regions are North America, Europe, and Asia. Pharmaceuticals­ While relatively small in transported volumes, the value of goods being transported is estimated (2022) to be $1.5 trillion. The top exporting regions are the Indian subcontinent, Europe, and Asia, which supplies the rest of the world. Due to its unique supply chain, this segment will be excluded from comment in the rest of the article. By Bob O'Donnell, Global Head of Lead Logistics & Cold Chain Logistics Growth, A.P. Moller - MaerskCOLD CHAIN LOGISTICS: KEEPING THINGS COOL IN A HOT MARKETBob O'Donnell
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