Emerging Markets Program: Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam

Countries: Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia

GCCF conducted a comprehensive baseline assessment of the cold chain situation in Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia. This activity was a part of the USDA-funded Emerging Markets Program (EMP), which helps U.S. organizations promote exports of U.S. agricultural products to countries that have or are developing market-oriented economies and that have the potential to be viable commercial markets. In 2019, several GCCA members and staff were able to visit the region to perform site studies and tours and collect data. This data was compiled and helped GCCF create recommendations for cold chain capacity development.

In May 2023, GCCF led a Cold Chain Study Tour to Indonesia with the support of the Cold Chain Association of the Philippines, the Indonesian Cold Chain Association, and past GCCF Chairman Greg Laurin (Conestoga Cold Storage). You can learn more about the study tour by listening to this webinar.

In August 2023, Adam Thocher and Madison Jaco traveled to Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam to meet with local cold chain and logistics associations to identify opportunities to develop and strengthen their cold chain programs.

In December 2023, GCCF completed the final phase of the four-year Emerging Markets Program in Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Tamara Palefsky (United States Cold Storage), Robert Hernandez (United States Cold Storage), and Bob Tippmann (QuickFreeze) traveled with Madison Jaco to Southeast Asia to provide in-person training and consultations on cold chain management. More than 140 participants attended across the three trainings, 40% of which were women in the cold chain. Additional virtual training on refrigeration systems, energy management, and sanitary transportation, led by Bob Tippmann and Don Durm (PLM Fleet), has been made available to all participants via GCCF’s Cold Chain eCampus.