SI-012-04 :
National Food Supply Chain
& Cold Chain Infrastructure

Situation

Thailand’s food supply chain spans from farms to domestic markets and global exports, but remains fragmented and inefficient, particularly in post-harvest handling and temperature-controlled logistics.

Key structural issues include:

• High post-harvest losses due to inadequate storage and handling

• Limited cold chain coverage, especially at farm and regional levels

• Fragmented logistics coordination across producers, processors, and distributors

• Inefficient transport systems increasing cost and reducing product quality

• Weak integration between domestic distribution and export logistics

As a result, significant value is lost after production, reducing both farmer income and national competitiveness.

Shift

Global food systems are shifting from basic logistics → integrated, temperature-controlled, real-time supply chain systems.

Key transitions include:

• From static supply chains → dynamic, demand-driven logistics networks

• From ambient transport → end-to-end cold chain systems

• From delayed information → real-time tracking and supply chain visibility

• From fragmented actors → platform-integrated supply chain ecosystems

Food logistics is becoming a precision system, where timing, temperature, and coordination determine value retention.

Advantage

Thailand has strong potential to build a Regional Food Logistics & Cold Chain Hub:

• Strategic geographic location for regional food distribution

• Established export infrastructure (ports, airports, logistics operators)

• High volume of agricultural and food production

• Integration potential with ASEAN connectivity corridors (SI-008)

This allows Thailand to position itself as:

“ASEAN’s Food Logistics Gateway”

—not just producing food, but controlling how it moves.

Additional Structural Advantage

Thailand can develop a multi-layer integrated food supply chain system:

• Collection Layer → Aggregation hubs at farm and regional levels

• Storage Layer → Cold storage, silos, controlled atmosphere facilities

• Transport Layer → Refrigerated logistics (road, rail, sea, air)

• Tracking Layer → Real-time monitoring (temperature, location, quality)

• Distribution Layer → Integrated domestic and export distribution networks

Supported by:

• Digital integration with traceability systems (SI-012-05)

• Public–private investment in logistics infrastructure

• Standardization of cold chain protocols and quality systems

This creates a system where food moves efficiently without loss of quality or value.

Implication

Without supply chain and cold chain upgrade:

• Significant post-harvest losses continue

• Reduced product quality limits access to premium markets

• Higher logistics costs reduce competitiveness

• Fragmentation prevents system-wide optimization

With an integrated system:

• Thailand significantly reduces food loss and waste

• Maintains product quality from farm to global markets

• Enhances export competitiveness and reliability

• Strengthens national food distribution resilience

Action Layer