Fresh food products are highly perishable under normal temperature conditions, so building a fresh food cold storage warehouse is essential to maintain their freshness and extend shelf life.
Depending on the type of product—such as vegetables, fruits, meat, seafood, dry goods, dairy, cooked food, or bakery items—the storage temperature and design requirements will differ, which directly affects the overall construction cost.
So, how much does it cost to build a 2,000m² cold storage warehouse for fresh food?
Estimated Cost of Building a 2,000m² Fresh Food Cold Storage (China Region)
For a standard cold storage facility with a height of 4–5 meters, capable of storing around 2,000 tons of fresh products, the estimated construction cost in China is approximately USD 250,000 – 320,000.
Such a cold storage can be used for fruit and vegetable preservation, meat freezing, or dry goods storage, each with different temperature zones depending on product needs.
Temperature Zones & Applications
Storage Type | Typical Temperature Range | Application |
---|---|---|
Fruit & Vegetable Cold Room | 0°C to +10°C | Preservation of fresh produce |
Meat Freezing Room | -18°C to -25°C | Long-term meat and poultry storage |
Seafood Cold Storage | -25°C and below | Deep-freezing for fish and aquatic products |
Dry Goods & Grocery Storage | +5°C to +15°C | Temperature-controlled dry food storage |
Main Factors Affecting Construction Cost
- Cold storage size and temperature zones – Multiple temperature areas will increase system and control costs.
- Insulation material and thickness – PU panels (100mm / 150mm) or spray foam insulation affect both energy efficiency and cost.
- Compressor system type – Screw compressors or parallel units have different price levels and energy performance.
- Project location and labor cost – Local installation fees and regional differences affect the final quotation.
- Product storage requirements – Some products (like seafood or pharmaceuticals) need stricter temperature stability.