Security of food supply is at the heart of a secure economy and society. Cold storage and refrigerated transportation are the first

make the case for temperature-controlled logistics to be treated as a priority in resilience planning. Cold chain businesses

throughout much of March and April,

line of defence against post-harvest food

must be integrated into national risk

the conflict has fundamentally changed

loss, and it is effective, safe and reliable

assessment and contingency planning and,

relationships, shipping routes and insurance

cold chain services that provide certainty to

crucially, prioritised for access to emergency

principles.

producers, maximises food availability and

energy supplies during crises.

The impacts on carriers, their clients and supply chain partners on the breakout of conflict between US-Israel and Iran were severe and immediate. The expectation is for short-term disruptions to be followed by far-reaching, long-term repercussions: there has been a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of interrupting strategic chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz; concerns are building about availability of crucial fertilisers for agricultural production; and global energy systems are expected to come under significant pressure for many months, if not years.

As governments across Africa and throughout the world review and update strategies for navigating disruption to infrastructure, energy and supply chains, it is vital that the role of the cold chain in national resilience is recognised clearly and consistently. Successful temperaturecontrolled logistics is essential to food security, public health and economic stability.

protects consumers. The ability to maintain these crucial services must be at the heart of authorities’ measures to protect perishable supply chains and safeguard food supply during periods of disruption.

African nations’ crisis response strategies need to recognise that the modern cold chain is a sophisticated ecosystem with some fundamental requirements. Our industry draws on a range of specialist technologies and equipment, a constant and reliable supply of energy, functioning transportation infrastructure such as ports and roads, and a workforce with a range of important skills. It is vital that the cold chain maintains access to all these essential requirements for operation in times of national crisis and disruption.

GCCA is engaging with governments and authorities across Africa, and around the world, to show what the cold chain requires in order to be able to continue operating effectively in times of disruption; and to

Temperature-controlled logistics rely on a secure, consistent, affordable energy supply. The supply interruptions and failures of recent years have shown the persistent vulnerability of Africa’ s energy systems, and food logistics operations have not been adequately serviced during times of loadshedding. The negative impacts on cold chain businesses’ operations, equipment and ability to invest for future resilience – and the consequences for food and healthcare supply chains – have been concerning. Changes need to be made.

African nations need clear and deliverable plans to ensure continuity of energy supply to critical cold chain sites during periods when energy supply is compromised. The plans should prepare for reasonable scenarios such as infrastructure failures, cyber security risks, and geopolitical events – including the severe disruption to global oil and gas movement as a result of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Global Cold Chain Alliance, senior vice-president, Global Policy, Projects and Partnerships, Shane Brennan.

Of course, Africa’ s longer-term cold

chain energy resilience needs a far more

comprehensive approach than recognition

in national crisis response planning alone.

National energy infrastructure needs to be

significantly upgraded, with grids that are

prepared for the needs and opportunities of

the future. Cold chain businesses operating

in Africa need to continue investing in

energy efficiency measures, on-site

renewable generation and related skills.

The potential improvement in medium and

longer-term energy stability, and reduction

of exposure to volatile costs, is considerable.

As Africa works to harness the benefits of

Supplied by Global Cold Chain Alliance

the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement

and to boost trade with the world, cold chain

operations must be considered a priority in

times of crisis and disruption as well as in

times of greater stability.

The GCCA Africa Cold Chain Conference

2026 will take place 2 – 3 September 2026

in Johannesburg. Find out more at www.

gcca. org / events / gcca-african-cold-chainconference

CLA