By Eamonn Ryan
At the GCCA Africa Cold Chain Conference in Durban, South Africa’s Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen, delivered a keynote address emphasising the cold chain’s vital role in Africa’s food systems.
Against the backdrop of rapid population growth and agricultural challenges, Steenhuisen called the cold chain “the artery through which Africa’s food system flows.”
He opened with light-hearted humour but quickly shifted to serious insights. Cold chains, he argued, are not front-page news – they are central to food security, economic growth and livelihoods.
Africa’s demographic explosion is unprecedented. In South Africa alone, the population grew from 54.5 million in 2015 to 62.3 million in 2025 – over seven million more mouths to feed in just a decade. This pressure is reflected across the continent, where demand for safe, nutritious and fresh food is rising rapidly.
“This population boom, replicated continent-wide, demands a cold chain that works,” Steenhuisen said. “The question of food security is no longer optional. It is central to survival.”
He warned that post-harvest losses in sub-Saharan Africa reach up to 40% – food that could feed millions is lost due to inadequate storage, unreliable power and poor transportation.
The cold chain’s value, he argued, is often invisible until it breaks. But its failure has visible, devastating consequences: increased food prices, lower farmer incomes, and greater malnutrition.
Steenhuisen called for a holistic investment strategy. “We can’t just patch holes. We need to build a system that prevents the losses from occurring in the first place.”
He also highlighted the importance of connecting cold chain infrastructure to local economies. “A farmer with access to a cold room has more power in the market,” he said. “He or she can wait for a better price, negotiate better deals, and plan for the future.”
Ultimately, a reliable cold chain transforms agriculture from a vulnerable industry to a growth engine – one that feeds people, supports jobs, and enables sustainable development.