Multi-purpose cold storage sees surge
The national conclave on Cold Chain Development, organised by the PHD, procured fruitful panel discussions which were addressed by various eminent speakers both from the government and the private sector.
Pawanexh Kohli, Chief Advisor & CEO, National Centre for Cold-chain Development (NCCD), graced the event as the Chief Guest and while opining on the cold chain storage post GST, stated, “The operational efficiency of trucks carrying agriculture and horticulture produce stored in various cold storages houses from beginning to end point has enhanced to an extent of 550 km a day, as most of inter-state and intrastate barriers have collapsed post GST implementation. The new taxation has benefitted the most to the logistics sector. Since a vast majority of agriculture and horticulture items are GST exempt, its ramifications on the cold-chain sector so far have been quiet positive barring on a few fronts and his department is seeking their redressal with department of finance.” R.S. Bedi, Chairman, Committee on Logistics Management, PHD Chamber stated, “India’s cold chain sector is a combination of surface storage and refrigerated transport. The industry has been growing at a CAGR of 28 per cent for the last three years and is anticipated to reach US$13 billion by 2017. Currently, India has 6,300 cold storage facilities unevenly spread across the country, with an installed capacity of 30.11 million metric tonne. These are mostly used for storing potatoes. However, the market is gradually getting organised and focus towards multi-purpose cold storages is rising.” Dr. Ranjeet Mehta, Director, PHD Chamber, elaborated on the development in the food processing sector and organised retail, government initiatives, increasing investments as well as increasing willingness on the part of consumers to pay a premium for higher quality of food products, will drive overall growth for the industry. Still, interventions are required to bring down operating costs, to improve quality of end produce, for adoption of new technology solutions and training of manpower.
India has 6,300 cold storage facilities unevenly spread across the country, with an installed capacity of 30.11 million metric tonne