Top States for Cold Storage in India: 2025 Insights

India’s cold storage sector is rapidly expanding in 2025 to preserve the freshness of fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.

With approximately 8,800 facilities across the country, these refrigerated warehouses assist farmers in minimizing waste and securing better prices.

We will examine a table detailing state-wise statistics to identify the locations of the majority of these facilities, explore the reasons behind the varying numbers across states, and discuss the implications.

Number of cold storages in India

Rank	State/Union Territory	Number of Cold Storage Facilities
1	Uttar Pradesh	2,200
2	West Bengal	634
3	Gujarat	600
4	Punjab	550
5	Maharashtra	500
6	Bihar	450
7	Madhya Pradesh	400
8	Andhra Pradesh	350
9	Tamil Nadu	300
10	Karnataka	280
11	Haryana	260
12	Rajasthan	250
13	Odisha	200
14	Telangana	180
15	Kerala	150
16	Assam	140
17	Jharkhand	120
18	Chhattisgarh	100
19	Himachal Pradesh	80
20	Uttarakhand	70
21	Jammu and Kashmir	60
22	Delhi	50
23	Tripura	40
24	Manipur	35
25	Meghalaya	30
26	Nagaland	25
27	Arunachal Pradesh	20
28	Mizoram	20
29	Sikkim	15
30	Goa	15
31	Puducherry	10
32	Chandigarh	8
33	Andaman and Nicobar Islands	5
34	Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu	5
35	Ladakh	3
36	Lakshadweep	2

National Total: 8,800

The table enumerates the facilities by state and Union Territory, with Uttar Pradesh at the forefront, boasting 2,200 facilities, followed by West Bengal with 634, and Gujarat with 600.

Punjab (550) and Maharashtra (500) are also significant players. These five states represent the top cold storage facilities in India, predominantly located in the northern and western regions.

What accounts for Uttar Pradesh’s prominence?

It is the largest potato producer in India, with 70% of cold storage facilities dedicated to potatoes.

The state possesses the highest storage capacity—1.5 million metric tons (MT) in 2020, which has since increased.

West Bengal’s 634 facilities are recognized as the leading cold storage in India for vegetables, according to data from 2025.

The ports and agricultural resources of Gujarat position it as a central hub for the export of fresh produce.

In contrast, smaller regions such as Lakshadweep (2) and Ladakh (3) have very few facilities.

These areas are remote islands or mountainous regions with limited agricultural activity, resulting in a reduced need for extensive storage.

The national total of 8,800 facilities has risen from 8,653 in 2024, reflecting a growth of 1.5% driven by government initiatives.

What explains the uneven distribution?

Cold storage facilities are established in regions with significant agricultural output. Northern states like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab produce large quantities of potatoes and grains that require refrigeration.

Conversely, southern states such as Kerala (150) concentrate on spices and fish, which necessitate less storage.

What is the Cost and the Rationale for Expanding Capacity?

The expense of cold storage in India is considerable—constructing one can cost between ₹1-2 crore for a capacity of 5,000 MT.

Operational expenses add ₹50-100 per MT each month for electricity and maintenance.

Consequently, small farmers find them unaffordable, resulting in an annual food waste of 20-30%.

However, government initiatives for cold storage in India provide assistance. Programs such as PMKSY offer subsidies of up to 50% for new facilities, contributing to the addition of 150 facilities annually.

This accounts for the increase from 8,186 in 2020 to a projected 8,800 by 2025. States like Bihar (450) are also adopting these schemes to improve the storage of onions and potatoes.

What is the motivation behind this initiative?

India requires a cold storage capacity of 35 million MT but currently possesses 39 million—indicating a surplus, albeit distributed unevenly.

While Uttar Pradesh has an abundance, regions in the Northeast, such as Mizoram (20), are lacking, leading to wastage.

Understanding Capacity and Its Implications

As of 2024, the national cold storage capacity in India stands at 39.42 million MT, with projections of reaching 40 million MT by 2025.

Uttar Pradesh accounts for 25% of this capacity, while Gujarat and Punjab collectively hold 55%.

This infrastructure enables farmers to store their crops for extended periods and sell them at more favorable prices, reducing losses from 30% to 10% in certain regions.

Nevertheless, challenges persist.

A significant 75% of the facilities are dedicated to single items, such as potatoes, leaving fruits and dairy products underserved.

The cold storage needs in India necessitate advancements in technology for multi-purpose use, such as controlled atmosphere storage, which, although more expensive, offers greater longevity.

Why the focus on single-use facilities?

Potatoes are the predominant crop in India, and older facilities were primarily designed for them.

The new facilities established under government schemes are designed to be more versatile.

Stocks and Future

The cold storage sector in India is experiencing growth, with companies such as Snowman Logistics and Gati Kausar leading the way.

Currently valued at ₹1,000 crore, it is projected to reach ₹1,500 crore by the year 2030.

Investors are attracted to this sector due to its potential for steady returns; however, the high costs associated with cold storage in India deter smaller enterprises.

Highly rated cold storage facilities in India, particularly those located in Uttar Pradesh, demonstrate efficiency and low energy consumption.

Nevertheless, in remote regions, frequent power outages diminish their reliability.

Why some states have more Cold storages and why some lack?

The data indicates that cold storage facilities are concentrated in agricultural states like Uttar Pradesh, as these areas are primary food production zones for items such as potatoes, grains, and vegetables.

Government initiatives have contributed to the proliferation of these facilities in such regions, while smaller Union Territories like Lakshadweep have less demand.

Notably, 70% of cold storage is utilized for potatoes, and a growth rate of 1.28% from 2018 to 2023 highlights a focus on fundamental agricultural needs.

To enhance the situation, India must expand cold storage facilities in underserved regions, particularly in the Northeast.

Currently, most cold storage operations are situated in the northern part of the country, but government schemes are in place to promote their distribution.

This expansion aims to reduce food waste and increase farmers’ incomes across India.

Source

• Government of India, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. (2020). Cold storage facilities in India. Press Information Bureau.