Source:The Express Tribune
Pakistan’s Storage Budget Debate Highlights the Cost of Cold Chain Gaps in Perishable Agriculture
What Happened
Pakistan’s federal allocation of Rs7.1 billion for agricultural storage infrastructure in Budget 2026-27 has drawn criticism from agriculture experts, who argue that the funding is far below the scale of the country’s post-harvest and storage losses. The Express Tribune reported that wheat losses alone are estimated at more than Rs140 billion annually, while experts pointed to inadequate warehousing, outdated storage facilities, weak cold-chain infrastructure, poor handling practices, and pest- and moisture-related losses as structural problems.
The issue extends beyond grain. Experts cited in the report said that maize, fruits, vegetables, and pulses remain highly exposed to post-harvest losses. Pakistan produces nearly 30 million tonnes of fruits and vegetables annually, yet has less than one million tonnes of cold-storage capacity available. Perishable commodity losses are estimated at 20% to 40%, depending on crop and region.
How It Works
A functional perishable cold chain is not only a cold room. It is a coordinated system that starts with sorting and pre-cooling, continues through cold storage and refrigerated transport, and ends with controlled distribution into wholesale, retail, foodservice, or export channels.
In Pakistan’s case, the reported gap suggests that storage capacity, financing, cold chain operations, and market coordination are not developing at the same speed as agricultural output. When cold storage capacity is limited, farmers and traders have less ability to hold perishable goods after harvest. This can force distress sales during peak supply periods, while consumers may later face shortages or price increases when stocks are not released efficiently.
A modern solution would require more than building additional rooms. Cold rooms need stable power, appropriate insulation, humidity control, air circulation, door discipline, pallet handling, temperature monitoring, and cleaning procedures. For export-oriented fruits, vegetables, dairy, seafood, and meat, cold chain integrity also depends on pre-shipment staging, reefer availability, data logger records, and compliance documentation.
Why It Matters
The debate shows how cold chain infrastructure directly affects food security, farmer income, and export competitiveness. The Express Tribune reported that perishable losses reduce farmer income, weaken food security, and undermine Pakistan’s export potential. The same report also noted calls for reforms such as a national warehouse receipt system, digital inventory management, commodity tracking, public-private partnerships, and stronger links between storage, commodity financing, and crop insurance.
For B2B cold chain readers, the message is that storage infrastructure and financial infrastructure must be developed together. Farmers and traders need a commercial reason to use storage, lenders need reliable collateral and inventory visibility, and operators need enough volume density to make cold storage economically viable.
Energy reliability is another key factor. Modern cold storage systems require stable electricity, but rural power outages can disrupt temperature control and damage the business case for private-sector investment.
B2B Impact
This creates potential demand for scalable and modular cold chain solutions rather than only large centralized warehouses. Packhouse-level cold rooms, solar-assisted refrigeration, backup power, insulated transit bins, small reefer fleets, and remote temperature monitoring can help reduce losses closer to the production area.
For equipment suppliers, the opportunity is in practical systems that match local operating conditions: high-efficiency insulation, reliable refrigeration units, simple serviceability, and temperature mapping support. For 3PLs and cold storage operators, the market need is multi-temperature storage that can serve different crops, seasons, and regional distribution routes.
For data and compliance providers, Pakistan’s storage debate also points to future demand for digital inventory visibility, batch-level traceability, and temperature records. These systems can support financing, reduce disputes, and help convert cold storage from a physical warehouse into a supply chain and financial asset.
The broader lesson is relevant across emerging markets: increasing agricultural production without investing in cold chain capacity can leave value trapped in the field. A stronger post-harvest cold chain can protect product integrity, reduce waste, stabilize supply, and create a more bankable perishable logistics ecosystem.