World Commercial Refrigeration Demand to Exceed $32 Billion in 2016

Global demand for commercial refrigeration equipment is forecast to rise 4.6 percent per year through 2016 to $32.5 billion, an acceleration from the 2006-2011 pace.  Demand will benefit from strong growth in a number of the world’s larger developing nations, particularly in Asia, as China and India will continue to be the fastest growing national markets for commercial refrigeration equipment.  The US market, which suffered during the 2007-2009 recession, will recover and post substantially stronger growth in demand, although gains will slightly trail the world average. These and other trends, including market share and product segmentation, are presented in World Commercial Refrigeration Equipment, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry market research firm.  

China was by far the fastest growing world market for commercial refrigeration products between 2001 and 2011, posting double-digit annual growth rates and quadrupling in size over those 10 years.  As economic growth in the country slows, demand growth for commercial refrigeration products will decelerate, but will remain the fastest in the world.  India, despite its massive size, remains a relatively small market for commercial refrigeration equipment, with per capita demand ranking among the smallest in the world.  However, heavy investment in electrical infrastructure and rising incomes will create strong potential for growth, and demand gains for these products in India will be the second fastest in the world. 

The US is the world’s largest market for these products, and will account for nearly a quarter of global sales growth through 2016.  Gains will result from an improved macroeconomic outlook, as rising consumer spending encourages food industry participants to expand the number of retail outlets and restaurants.  In addition, food industry participants will be more willing to make equipment upgrades that had been deferred due to a weak economy.  Japan was the third largest market for commercial refrigeration equipment in 2011, but has declined in size since 2006, reflecting both poor economic conditions and the maturity of the market.  Demand for commercial refrigeration products in Japan is forecast to return to positive growth through 2016, but gains will be significantly slower than the world average.

The Freedonia Group is a leading international business research company, founded in 1985, that publishes more than 100 industry research studies annually. This industry analysis provides an unbiased outlook and a reliable assessment of an industry and includes product segmentation and demand forecasts, industry trends, demand history, threats and opportunities, competitive strategies, market share determinations and company profiles.