Cold chain infrastructure in Paraguay

8 Dec 2025 | Publication

Cold chain infrastructure in Paraguay

  • Publication type: FAL Bulletin
  • Author: Aguayo, Rocío; Salinas, Roberto; Rodríguez Laconich, Mical
  • Physical description: 16 pages
  • Publisher: ECLAC
  • Date: December, 2025

Abstract

A cold chain system refers to the sequence of production and logistics processes that enable the production, transportation, storage, and distribution of food, pharmaceuticals, immunobiological, agricultural inputs, cosmetics, and other temperature-sensitive products under controlled temperatures. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), a cold chain system includes the stages of pre-cooling, storage, transportation, distribution, retail, and domestic refrigeration (FAO, 2015). When applied to food production, the goal of a cold chain system is to keep products safe for consumption, preserve their nutritional characteristics, and maintain good organoleptic qualities. In the case of immunobiological and pharmaceuticals, whether for human or veterinary use, the objective is to preserve their immunizing and therapeutic properties. The term “chain” reflects a systemic perspective, in which each activity within the chain is essential to maintaining the products with the desired qualities. Any failure in one of the stages that define and characterize a cold chain system can compromise the final outcome of the controlled refrigeration process.

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