China cold storage solution provider
When planning to build a cold storage warehouse, one of the first questions every client asks is:
“How much does it cost per cubic meter?”
The cost of building a cold storage room can vary widely depending on the size, temperature requirements, insulation materials, refrigeration systems, and regional labor costs. There’s no single fixed price, but we can provide an accurate estimate based on project scale and configuration.
1. Average Cold Storage Cost per Cubic Meter
The general rule is: the larger the cold storage, the lower the cost per cubic meter.
Smaller units have higher unit costs because design, management, and installation expenses are less spread out.
| Cold Storage Size | Type | Estimated Cost (USD/m³) | Total Cost Estimate (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Cold Room (15–100 m³) | Fresh or Frozen | $50 – $130 | $750 – $13,000 |
| Medium Cold Storage (500–1,000 m³) | Food Processing / Distribution | $30 – $40 | $15,000 – $40,000 |
| Large Cold Warehouse (5,000 m³ and above) | Industrial / Logistics | $25 – $30 | $125,000 – $150,000 |
💡 Example:
A 1,000m³ cold storage room typically costs around $35,000, and can store up to 800–1,000 tons of frozen meat or 1,200 tons of fruits and vegetables, depending on stacking layout and racking density.
2. What Factors Affect Cold Storage Construction Cost?
Several factors determine the final cost of your cold room project:
1.Temperature Requirement:
- A cold room for fresh fruits (+2°C~+8°C) is cheaper than a frozen warehouse (-18°C).
- Ultra-low temperature cold rooms (-30°C or below) can cost 50–70% more.
2.Insulation Material:
- PIR and PU panels provide better thermal performance but are more expensive than EPS.
- Thicker insulation panels reduce long-term electricity costs.
3.Refrigeration System:
- Brand and type of compressor (e.g., Bitzer, Emerson, Copeland) directly affect cost and energy consumption.
4.Construction Site & Location:
- Installation conditions, regional labor rates, and climate all influence final pricing.
5.Automation Level:
- Smart control systems, temperature monitoring, and remote management add to upfront cost but reduce operational costs over time.
3. Typical Construction Time and Energy Usage
A small cold room (under 100m³) can be completed in 15–20 days, while a 5,000m³ warehouse usually takes 90–120 days.
Energy-efficient cold storage facilities using screw compressors and PLC control systems can save up to 25% in power consumption, resulting in faster ROI and lower operational expenses.
4. How Much Can a 1m³ Cold Room Store?
Storage capacity varies by product density:
- 1m³ ≈ 250–350 kg of frozen meat
- 1m³ ≈ 400–500 kg of fruits or vegetables
So a 5,000m³ cold storage can hold 2,000 tons of frozen products or 2,500 tons of fresh produce, making it ideal for food processors, distributors, or logistics centers.
5. Example Project
We recently completed a 5,000m³ cold storage project for a food distribution client in Southeast Asia:
- Investment: USD $195,000
- Construction Period: 95 days
- Storage Capacity: 2,100 tons
- Energy Savings: 28% lower electricity usage compared with the client’s previous facility
The new cold storage helped the client reduce product spoilage by 30% and improve logistics efficiency significantly.