Role of cold storage in preservation of fruits and vegetables in India

Abstract

India, one of the world's largest producers of fruits and vegetables, continues to suffer from significant post-harvest losses estimated at 20–35%, primarily due to inadequate cold chain infrastructure, poor handling, and fragmented supply chains. Cold storage infrastructure serves as a critical component in maintaining the quality, safety, and longevity of perishable commodities by regulating temperature, humidity, and atmospheric composition. This review synthesizes global and Indian cold storage trends, explains the technical functioning of refrigeration systems, evaluates economic feasibility, and highlights major gaps in existing infrastructure. India's cold storage capacity is heavily skewed toward potatoes (over 60%), revealing commodity and regional imbalance. Despite substantial governmental interventions through NHB, PMKSY, MSME, and NABARD schemes, infrastructural deficits remain—particularly in pack houses (99% gap) and reefer vehicles (84% gap). Emerging sustainable technologies, such as solar-based and biomass-driven cold storage, demonstrate promising solutions for regions with unreliable power supply. Case studies from Telangana, Gujarat, Bihar, and Karnataka show that decentralized cold storage systems significantly reduce losses, improve market timing, and enhance farmer incomes. The review concludes that strengthening cold chain infrastructure is essential for increasing farmer profitability, improving national food security, and reducing wastage within the agricultural value chain.