Association Updates

ADVOCACY IN EUROPE

GCCA meets with the European Parliament in Brussels. GCCA staff and leadership, members of the European Parliament (MEPs), and industry leaders gathered on June 25 to address vulnerabilities in the food supply chain. The event took place amid the European Parliament’s development of a new EU Preparedness Union Strategy, which includes proposals for a coordinated approach to food stockpiling and crisis readiness.

The meeting called on European policymakers to prioritize investment in temperature-controlled logistics, strengthening the continent’s food supply chain resilience. The roundtable was hosted by Adrian-George Axinia MEP (Romania) and featured contributions from MEPs Daniel Buda, Maria Georgiana Teodorescu, Sander Smit, and Piotr Muller, as well as Romanian lawyer Gheorghe Piperea. Industry participants included representatives from GCCA, the European Cold Storage and Logistics Association, national cold chain associations, and major companies such as Americold, DP World, Gdansk Cold Store, Group GTS, Jodifrost, Port of Antwerp Bruges, and Thermotraffic.

Discussion focused on the designation of cold chain logistics as critical infrastructure, the recognition of cold chain professionals as essential workers in crisis scenarios, and the removal of barriers to investment in infrastructure and capacity. Participants also addressed trade facilitation, energy efficiency, automation, and incentives to drive innovation.

This roundtable follows a 2024 industrywide “Call to Action” from cold chain stakeholders, urging European policymakers to support businesses in delivering food security and supply chain resilience.

ADVOCACY IN THE UNITED STATES

GCCA Policy Forum gathers in Washington, D.C. In late July, GCCA members came together in Washington, D.C. for the organization’s annual U.S. Cold Chain Policy Forum and congressional fly-in. The program included an update on GCCA’s advocacy priorities, a presentation from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration on regulations and enforcement data; keynotes from the Department of Agriculture and Small Business Administration; breakout sessions on tax, transportation, labor, and insurance policy; and interactive workshops on food traceability from GS1 US and supply chain cybersecurity from BIO-ISAC.

Additionally, members visited Capitol Hill to discuss cold chain investments, the FRIDGE and REINS Acts, labor policy, and regulations reform with congressional representatives and staffers including Rep. Randy Feenstra, Rep. Tracey Mann, Sen. Adam Schiff, Rep. Sam Graves, Sen. Raphael Warnock, Rep. Austin Scott, Rep. Laurel Lee, Rep. Adam Gray, Rep. Andrea Salinas, Rep. Josh Harder, Sen. Cory Booker, Sen. John Fetterman, Rep. Ben Cline, and the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

CONVENING ACROSS THE GLOBE

Insights from GCCA Summer Conferences in Sao Paulo, Durban, and Santiago.

Brazil Cold Chain Congress: June 11-12 in Sao Paulo, Brazil

More than 130 cold chain leaders gathered in June in Sao Paulo for the 2025 Brazil Cold Chain Congress. The program included speakers on topics like navigating regulatory change; tax and policy updates shaping Brazil’s cold chain; mitigating emerging risks and avian influenza implications; expanding market reach – export vs. domestic distribution strategies by Arfrio S.A. Armazéns Gerais Frigoríficos, Brasfrigo Oficial, Friozem, and Movecta; innovating with suppliers; harnessing tech trends like AI, zero-waste logistics, and next-gen infrastructure; and driving investment and market consolidation insights from Icestar, Emergent Cold LatAm, and more.

The Brazil Congress also hosted a signature GCCA Cold Chain Café roundtable, networking, and excellent opportunities for peer sharing and collaboration.

Africa Cold Chain Conference:  August 21-22 in Durban, South Africa

The 2025 Africa Cold Chain Conference, held in Durban in late August, was attended by 120 delegates. The program kicked off with tours focusing on port optimization and improving efficiency at the Durban port and Maydon Wharf fruit export market.

Conference sessions featured a keynote address by Dewald Olivier of Red Meat Industry Services, as well as presentations on topics such as AI and technology, creating more efficient cold chain logistics networks in Africa, trade issues, and energy efficiency.

Highlights included an appearance and inspirational speech delivered by the South African Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen MP. The Minister commented on Africa’s population boom and food security, post-harvest loss, needed reforms in port efficiency, energy policy, building Africa’s voice in global trade, rural economics, and the technologies needed to move the industry forward while being accessible to all.

This year’s event also hosted the South Africa Advisory Committee, other committee meetings, and several impactful networking receptions.

Latin America Cold Chain Congress:  August 27-28 in Santiago, Chile

The 2025 GCCA Latin American Cold Chain Congress in Santiago de Chile, Chile, convened 113 attendees, representing eight countries and 51 unique companies. Key industry leaders, experts, and stakeholders convened to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities within the region’s temperature-controlled logistics sector.

Sessions explored leveraging logistical advantages at Latin America’s key ports, implementing intelligent energy solutions to reduce costs and environmental impact, and the critical role of automation and AI in developing the next generation of warehouses for emerging markets.

Discussions also tackled the current global landscape, with a focus on navigating trade disruptions and identifying new routes and markets for perishable goods. A significant presentation highlighted the Bioceanic Corridor as a transformative logistics opportunity for trade between the Atlantic and Pacific.

Panels and presentations also emphasized that strengthening cross-border partnerships is essential for building a more resilient and synchronized regional cold chain.

Media Contact

For media inquiries, please contact: Lindsay Shelton-Gross, Senior Vice President, Global Communications, Marketing and Strategic Initiatives, Global Cold Chain Alliance.