Cold Chain: A ‘cryptonite’ for agri-business

By: John Dela Cruz

The Cold Chain Association of the Philippines (CCAP) successfully held its 23rd Annual General Membership Meeting on June 18-20, 2025, at the Boracay Newcoast Convention Center, gathering top executives and stakeholders in cold chain logistics, agriculture, food production, healthcare, and trade sectors.

With the theme “Cold Chain Logistics: Keystone to Agri-Business Development,” the event placed strong emphasis on how the cold chain industry is fast becoming a pillar of the country’s economic growth, particularly in agriculture and food security.

Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., delivering the keynote address, stressed that “developing modern, efficient cold chain systems is critical to ensuring food and medicine safety, reducing post-harvest losses, and boosting the export competitiveness of Filipino producers.”

Cold chain is now viewed as a strategic enabler of economic sectors beyond agriculture—supporting health, tourism, and trade. It plays a vital role in reducing post-harvest and post-production losses, enhancing the quality of food and pharmaceuticals, and improving the country’s capacity to engage in regional and global trade. Furthermore, strengthening cold chain networks helps reduce the country’s dependence on imports while building resilience in the supply chain—a priority given today’s volatile global markets.

Over the three-day conference, business leaders and industry experts exchanged insights on trends in cold storage infrastructure, supply chain digitalization, regulatory standards, and sustainable operations. Technical workshops and industry networking provided opportunities for collaboration and partnerships.

With rising consumer demand for quality and safety in perishable products, CCAP continues to promote innovation, operational excellence, and responsible growth in the Philippine cold chain sector—contributing to broader goals in agri-business development and food security.