Building a Cold Chain Market Entry Blueprint for Southeast Asia

Client Background 

The client is a leading European logistics and supply chain company specializing in temperature-controlled freight across the EU. Looking to extend its global footprint, the company was evaluating international expansion opportunities with a strategic focus on the emerging economies of Southeast Asia. 

Client’s Challenge 

Despite growing demand for cold chain services in Southeast Asia, the client faced internal hesitation in greenlighting investments. The investment committee was concerned about limited visibility into local infrastructure quality, stakeholder reliability, and the cost variability of operating across fragmented geographies. Macro indicators showed promise, but the client needed deeper clarity on the commercial feasibility of entering the region and sought an evidence-backed roadmap for prioritizing markets and execution models. 

How Mordor Intelligence Helped 

• Multi-Country Feasibility Assessment: We assessed five Southeast Asian markets using a structured framework covering demand trends, policy landscape, infrastructure gaps, and cost-to-serve metrics. 
• Stakeholder Interviews and On-Ground Validation: Mordor Intelligence conducted expert interviews with logistics operators, exporters, and regulators to uncover operational constraints that macro-level data often misses. 
• Tailored Market Entry Models: We designed entry models aligned with each market’s unique dynamics, ranging from centralized infrastructure investments to asset-light partnerships. 
• Risk Assessment and Assumption Testing: Key strategic assumptions were tested through regional cold chain experts, enabling the client to evaluate timing, scale, and risk with greater precision. 

Key Findings 

• Not all markets were equally ready. Some showed strong demand but lacked supporting infrastructure.
• Policy bottlenecks and fragmented last-mile networks posed serious execution risks in certain countries.
• A phased, hub-and-spoke model was better suited for initial market entry, reducing exposure while enabling scalability.
• Local partnerships would be essential to overcome regulatory and operational onboarding in priority markets. 

Our Industry Coverage 

Mordor Intelligence supports clients in navigating complex, fragmented, and fast-changing market environments. Our team has delivered over 200 custom studies across supply chain segments, particularly in emerging Asia. Core services relevant to this sector include: 

• Feasibility Analysis: Evaluating infrastructure readiness, demand potential, and execution risk for new market entry.
• Opportunity Assessment: Identifying scalable growth opportunities across logistics subsegments including cold chain, warehousing, and last-mile delivery.
• Customer/Supplier/Distributor Discovery: Mapping strategic partners and operational collaborators to fast-track go-to-market execution.
• Value Chain and Regulatory Assessment: Analyzing formal and informal market structures, compliance requirements, and cost impacts.
• Surveys, FGDs, and Primary Research Fieldwork: Engaging directly with local operators, policymakers, and customers to ground decisions in practical realities.