Cold Chain Strategy for Serbia

Abstract

A cold chain is a temperature-controlled supply chain. An unbroken cold chain is an uninterrupted series of storage and distribution activities which maintain a given temperature range. This cold chain assessment was segmented into three phases: 1) evaluate the existing cold chain for fruits and vegetables in Serbia; 2) identify key constraints to competitiveness within each key sector and element; and 3) create a strategic plan for improving the integrated cold chain in the near-term future. A representative sample of 45 cold storage facilities was surveyed including a wide array of conventional chillers, conventional freezers and controlled atmosphere (CA), including Ultra-Low Oxygen (ULO) facilities. The total refrigerated and/or frozen capacity for storage at the 45 facilities was estimated at 100,000 MT. It was estimated that this capacity was representative of about 1/5 of the total capacity for refrigerated or frozen storage in Serbia (500-600,000 MT). A wide array of facilities exist in Serbia, with most being of the small-or medium-scale size, capable of storing between 150 and 2,500 MT of products, although some very large-scale facilities with capacities of nearly 11,000 MT are operating.