China's cold-chain logistics sector saw steady expansion in 2024, driven by the continuous release of consumer demand, industrial data showed Monday.
China's total demand for cold-chain logistics reached over 365 million tons in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 4.3 percent, according to the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing (CFLP).
The annual total revenue of cold chain logistics in 2024 logged 536.1 billion yuan (about 73.19 billion U.S. dollars), a year-on-year increase of 3.7 percent, according to the CFLP.
The sector was in a volatile development trend of moving forward under pressure, and was gradually stabilizing and recovering, according to a CFLP official.
"The diverse demands of consumers for fresh products and their need for immediate consumption have driven the development of the fresh cold-chain sector. Additionally, as consumers place greater emphasis on food safety, large-scale catering delivery has also seen significant growth," said Qin Yuming, secretary-general of the Cold Chain Logistics Committee of the CFLP.
Since the third quarter of 2024, driven by the catering industry and fresh food e-commerce, the overall growth rate of cold-chain logistics has rebounded. In 2024, the annual catering revenue was over 5.57 trillion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5.3 percent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
In addition, the sector also showcased a clear green transformation trend. In 2024, the sales volume of new energy refrigerated trucks reached 21,368 units, a year-on-year increase of 350.8 percent; and the penetration rate of new energy refrigerated trucks was 33.9 percent, an increase of 25.2 percentage points year on year.
China's cold-chain logistics sector sees steady growth in 2024
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
