Tariffs, regulation and shifting consumer demand continue to disrupt cold supply chains, according to a survey released by temperature-controlled warehouse operator Lineage.
The Cold Chain Insights Survey of 1,000 supply chain decision-makers across the U.S., Canada and Mexico found that geopolitical uncertainty and policy shifts — particularly tariffs — are among the biggest factors influencing supply chain decisions in 2026, with 73% of respondents expecting tariffs to continue negatively affecting their finances this year.
For freight markets, the findings point to growing demand and complexity in refrigerated trucking and cross-border food logistics, particularly along the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada corridors.
As food companies expand frozen and refrigerated networks while adjusting sourcing to manage tariffs and risk, that typically translates into more temperature-controlled truckload freight, tighter cold storage capacity near borders and ports, and greater reliance on 3PLs for visibility and compliance support, according to the survey from Lineage.
“Supply chain leaders are operating in an environment where volatility is the norm, not the exception,” said Greg Lehmkuhl, president and CEO of Lineage, in the report.
Novi, Michigan-based Lineage (Nasdaq: LINE) operates 500 facilities with 3.1 billion cubic feet of space across North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. It also provides freight forwarding, customs brokerage, drayage and truck transportation.
Related: Lineage announces Texas cold-storage facility amid tariff turbulence
Tariffs, costs and demand reshaping strategy
The survey found that 95% of companies adjusted their strategic plans over the past year due to shifting policy landscapes, while 57% said tariff impacts on 2025 costs were higher than expected.
Tariffs and regulation ranked as the top external factor driving supply chain instability, followed by inconsistent partners, climate disruptions and rising freight and fuel costs.
At the same time, demand for cold storage remains strong. About 72% of organizations reported rising demand for refrigerated and frozen foods, highlighting the growing importance of temperature-controlled logistics as consumer buying patterns shift.
The findings suggest food companies are increasingly rethinking sourcing strategies, inventory planning and distribution networks across North America as trade policy and costs remain uncertain.
AI, automation and visibility investments rise
Technology adoption is becoming central to cold chain operations, with 60% of respondents ranking data and AI among the top forces transforming operations in 2026. Companies are focusing on transportation optimization, real-time visibility, AI-driven decision-making and warehouse automation to improve coordination and efficiency.
Early returns on those investments appear promising: 24% of companies reported exceeding ROI expectations from AI investments, while most others said they were meeting or nearing targets.
Shippers want flexibility from cold storage providers
The survey also found food and beverage companies are increasingly relying on third-party logistics providers and cold storage operators for flexibility and data visibility.
Nearly half of respondents to the survey said flexible storage capacity was their greatest need from cold storage partners, while 41% said they want better data and analytics to support planning decisions.
Many companies are responding by expanding supplier networks, improving tracking and visibility, and strengthening risk management strategies to make their supply chains more resilient.
The survey comes as the cold storage sector continues adjusting after a wave of new facility construction and post-pandemic inventory drawdowns.
During a fourth-quarter earnings call on Feb. 25, Lineage officials said new cold storage space grew 14.5% from 2021 through 2025 while demand increased only 5%.
Related: Cold storage market working off oversupply
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