On May 18, 2025, Yuhu Cold Chain (Wuhan) Trading Centre celebrated the launch of its first cold store, marking a significant milestone for the largest and most advanced international cold chain food trading hub in Central China. The event marked the arrival of the first batch of cold chain transport trucks, carrying imported beef, seafood, and frozen goods, signaling the official activation of the facility’s state-of-the-art cold store zone.

At the ceremony, Mr. Li Yuanhua, Chairman of Yuhu Cold Chain (Wuhan), announced the official commissioning of the D1 and D2 cold store, while General Manager Mr. Wang  Xue and representatives from storage enterprises and merchants delivered speeches. On the first day, approximately 3,000 tonnes of goods—primarily imported beef from Argentina, Brazil, and the United States, as well as domestic poultry and seafood—entered storage. Additional cold storage units will undergo phased commissioning and are expected to be fully operational by the second half of the year. Once fully operational, the facility is projected to handle 1 million tonnes of frozen goods annually, with an estimated annual transaction value of ¥20 billion.

A New Benchmark for Cold Chain Logistics in Central China

The launch of the Wuhan project’s cold storage represents a major advancement in Yuhu Cold Chain’s strategic expansion across Central China. This facility not only upgrades regional cold chain infrastructure but also introduces an innovative Online Trading, Offline Fulfillment (online merge offline OMO) service model. By integrating an online trading platform with the facility’s intelligent management system, the Wuhan centre enables end-to-end digital supply chain management, from procurement to last-mile delivery. This model significantly enhances operational efficiency and accelerates the transformation of Hubei’s cold chain industry from traditional distribution to modern supply chain solutions.

A Leading Project for Regional Development

As a key provincial and municipal project, Yuhu Cold Chain (Wuhan) Trading Centre is part of the city’s essential goods circulation and supply system. It is one of Wuhan’s first batch of Public Infrastructure Projects for Both Regular and Emergency Use. Leveraging Wuhan’s strategic position as a major logistics hub, the facility incorporates cutting-edge digital innovations to create a modernized cold chain service system covering all temperature zones and supply chain segments.

Spanning 208,000 square meters in land area, the park features eight international-standard cold stores with a total capacity of 214,000 tonnes, accommodating temperature requirements from -55°C to 8°C. Recognized as First-Grade (Three-Star) Green Warehouse - the highest grade of accreditation for green warehousing in China and a national pilot for digitalized warehouses, the facility is equipped with smart energy monitoring systems and low-carbon technologies. Through IoT-enabled real-time optimization, the facility reduces annual energy consumption by over 30% compared to traditional cold storage facilities.

The newly launched D1 and D2 are both single-storey high bay cold store, each with a capacity of 7,000 tonnes and a height of 13.3 meters. They are equipped with fully temperature-controlled corridors and 26 smart loading docks, enabling the efficient handling of bulk frozen goods. Advanced storage systems, including racking and automated loading equipment, achieve over 90% mechanization, significantly improving operational efficiency.

Collaboration for Shared Success

Mr. Chen Fangbing, a representative from Huayi Chengyang Logistics, shared his experience at the launch event:
"After extensive research, we decided to relocate our operations to the Yuhu Cold Chain (Wuhan) Trading Centre. Its digitalized, international-standard cold storage and real-time management systems perfectly address the challenges of traditional warehousing, helping us reduce costs and improve efficiency."

Wang Jiangli, Chairman of the Chutian Frozen Food Industry Association and General Manager of Jingchu Food Co., also highlighted the benefits of Yuhu’s integrated online and offline model:
"Through Yuhu Cold Chain’s international procurement platform, our member companies can connect directly with top global suppliers, significantly reducing procurement costs. With its extensive distribution network covering major cities across China’s eight economic regions, Yuhu also ensures efficient delivery. The facility’s supply chain financial services further support smooth operations. Several billion-yuan enterprises from our association will establish operations here, focusing on imported beef while leveraging synergies with Yuhu’s Guangzhou and Chengdu facilities. In three years, we aim to establish Central China’s premier imported beef exhibition and trading hub, driving the growth of Wuhan’s frozen goods industry."

Integrated Services for Dual-Circulation Growth

Looking ahead, the Wuhan park will serve as a gateway for high-end international food products—such as Australian grain-fed beef, Arctic sweet prawns, and Chilean king crabs—to enter the Central China market. Its integrated “Multi-Channel Online Trading + Efficient Offline Fulfillment” model offers comprehensive supply chain solutions for local businesses, including restaurants and supermarkets.

At the same time, the trading centre will help promote regional specialties, such as Hubei crayfish and lotus root, to national and international markets through Yuhu’s nationwide cold chain network. By doing so, the Wuhan centre will play a vital role in advancing the “dual circulation” strategy, which fosters the integration of domestic and global trade.

With its cutting-edge infrastructure, digitalized solutions, and end-to-end service capabilities, Yuhu Cold Chain (Wuhan) is poised to lead Central China’s cold chain industry into a new era of efficiency, sustainability, and global connectivity.