The global cold chain is composed of numerous market segments – ag products, frozen foods, seafood, poultry, meat, dairy products, pharmaceuticals, wine and spirits, and more. With such an eclectic mix of product categories, it’s no surprise that each has its own needs and challenges. Unlike the dry sector, where product handling is largely consistent across thousands of commodities, the reefer sector must account for the very different supply chain requirements for frozen goods and fresh produce, seafood and meat, on the same vessel. Market forces such as economic swings and weather only complicate matters for importers, exporters, and their service providers. This session, composed of representatives of several market segments – poultry, fresh produce, dairy, frozen goods, and seafood — along with a senior executive from a major ocean carrier will dive into the specific macro elements of these very different products, the logistics of managing them, and how service providers address the various challenges. Among the questions it will address are:

• How has the market changed for these commodity groups since COVID?

• What are the major threats and challenges on the horizon?

• How are shippers and their service providers working together to improve efficiency?