Core Insights - The logistics industry is increasingly focusing on cold chain services, particularly for international deliveries, as exemplified by Zhongtong's tailored cold chain service for Yili, which successfully transported ice cream to Cambodia [1][2] - Major players like Zhongtong, SF Express, and JD Logistics are ramping up their cold chain capabilities to meet the growing demand for fresh and high-quality products, with significant investments and expansions in their cold chain networks [2][3] - The cold chain logistics market is projected to grow significantly, with estimates suggesting a market size of 868.6 billion yuan by 2025, driven by rising consumer demand for fresh food and government support [5][4] Company Developments - Zhongtong has established over 1,200 cold chain outlets and plans to cover 70% of counties by 2023, implementing a door-to-door cold chain model [1][2] - SF Express has invested 1.3 billion yuan in its cold chain operations, with a focus on expanding its cold storage and transportation capabilities, including 34 food warehouses and over 13,000 refrigerated vehicles [2][3] - JD Logistics is enhancing its cold chain services by increasing air and land transport capacities, with a 200% increase in air transport for seasonal products like Yangmei [3][2] Market Trends - The demand for cold chain logistics is surging due to trends such as direct-to-consumer agricultural shipments and the rise of ready-to-eat meals, necessitating high-quality and low-loss delivery solutions [5][6] - The cold chain logistics sector is characterized by high entry barriers due to the need for specialized equipment and technology, making it a strategic area for differentiation among logistics companies [7][8] - The pharmaceutical sector presents a lucrative opportunity for cold chain logistics, with strict temperature control requirements and high service costs, allowing logistics companies to capture market share [9][8]