The private players can participate in the construction of infrastructure for cold chain systems and benefit greatly. However, the experience of the few private players who have invested in the cold chain has not been satisfactory for them.

Going forward, a 25-28 per cent growth is envisaged in the cold storage industry. Even so, it will be a while before prices are arrested, exports of cold storage commodities take off, and indeed, before a heady rush of private participation is a reality, say the industry’s practitioners and best experts.