Lineage: Cold Chain Resilience Rises Amid Volatility

Food and beverage supply chains are navigating the first months of 2026 under sustained pressure from geopolitical disruption, regulatory change and evolving demand patterns, according to new research from Lineage.

The company’s latest Cold Chain Insights Survey, based on responses from 1,000 decision-makers across the United States, Canada and Mexico, finds that resilience has become the defining priority for supply chain leaders, driving increased investment in data, automation and closer collaboration with logistics partners.

“Supply chain leaders are operating in an environment where volatility is the norm, not the exception,” says Greg Lehmkuhl, President and CEO of Lineage.

“As companies navigate 2026, the focus is on making faster, better-informed decisions, using flexibility, insight, and technology to keep operations running reliably.”

At the heart of the shift is the growing impact of geopolitical and economic uncertainty. The survey reveals that tariffs, regulation and political shifts are now the leading forces shaping supply chain strategy.

Some 73% of respondents expect tariffs to continue negatively affecting finances in 2026, while more than half report that tariff-related cost increases in 2025 exceeded expectations, forcing organisations to rethink strategic plans.

Rising demand for refrigerated and frozen foods

Despite these pressures, demand fundamentals remain strong. Around 72% of respondents report rising demand for refrigerated and frozen foods, highlighting the increasing strategic importance of cold chain infrastructure in supporting global food supply.

To manage this complexity, companies are turning to advanced technologies as a core component of resilience. The survey shows that 60% of respondents rank data and AI among the top forces transforming operations in 2026.

Key investment areas include transportation optimisation, real-time visibility, AI-informed decision-making and warehouse automation.

Early returns on these investments appear encouraging. Nearly a quarter (24%) of organisations say they are exceeding ROI expectations from AI initiatives, while a further 62% report meeting or nearing their targets.

Respondents cite improved coordination and operational efficiency as the most significant benefits so far.

Reducing risk exposure

Alongside technology adoption, partnerships are becoming increasingly critical. Food and beverage companies are placing greater emphasis on working with third-party logistics (3PL) providers to strengthen resilience and improve agility.

Flexible storage capacity, enhanced data sharing and advanced analytics capabilities are among the most sought-after partner attributes.

Internally, organisations are also taking steps to reduce risk exposure. These include expanding supplier networks into new domestic markets, improving visibility and tracking capabilities, and implementing more robust risk management strategies.

The findings underscore a broader transformation in how supply chains are designed and operated. Rather than focusing solely on cost efficiency, companies are balancing efficiency with adaptability, ensuring they can respond quickly to disruption while continuing to meet rising consumer demand.

As one of the largest global players in temperature-controlled logistics, Lineage operates more than 500 facilities spanning approximately 88 million square feet and 3.1 billion cubic feet of capacity across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

The company says its focus remains on combining infrastructure scale with technology-driven solutions to support customers in navigating an increasingly complex supply chain landscape.