Last Updated: October 19, 2023
The top reefer container manufacturers produce the majority of reefer containers in circulation today. Read this blog to get an overview of these companies, and find out how you can buy reefers at the best price from vetted suppliers.
Reefer container manufacturers play a very important role in the global economy. They are responsible for producing refrigerated containers that transport perishable cargo like medicines, food and vaccines across the globe. Reefer containers are the backbone for many industries including food & beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical industries, etc.
Although the reefer container market is expected to grow at 3% to 2026, companies still find it difficult to get their hands on reefer containers at the right prices.
This is mainly because of the lack of price transparency in the industry. Even if you’re willing to pay high prices for reefers, you may not get these specialized containers in your local sourcing network.
That’s where our online container marketplace can help you. On xChange, you get multiple offers from vetted suppliers so you can choose the best deals.
Our platform allows you to buy containers in 2500+ locations globally. Want to see how? Just use the public search below to browse through multiple offers in your location and find the best deals on reefers.
Overview of the reefer manufacturing industry
Currently, China is home to around 85% of the world’s container manufacturers. They not only produce standard containers but also manufacture specialized containers like reefers. Due to cheap labor and steel production in China, it makes economical sense to produce containers there. Plus, container production in China is also highly viable given the high volume of exports handled by the nation. Read about the top shipping container manufacturers in China here.
The reefer manufacturing industry has shown a steady rise over the years. This is due to increased demand for temperature-sensitive goods like vaccines, pharmaceuticals, and medicines globally.
The demand for reefer containers is also being driven by the fact that China, India, Singapore, and South Korea are quickly becoming important outsourcing hubs for pathology testing, clinical trials, and drug manufacture. And now with government policies encouraging international trade of pharmaceuticals, the demand for reefers is on a rise.
That’s why a lot of companies have started reefer manufacturing. Read on to find out the top reefer container manufacturers. However, before that, let’s take it back a notch and refresh our memories. Do you remember what a reefer container is? If not, here’s a recap:
What is a reefer container?
A refrigerated container, commonly known as a reefer container, is a specialized shipping container designed to transport and store goods at specific temperature conditions. The primary purpose of a refrigerated container is to maintain a controlled and consistent temperature environment for perishable or temperature-sensitive cargo during transportation. For example, let’s say you own a successful seafood franchise, and you need fresh fish to maintain the reputation you’ve built over the years. You usually have your fish sourced from reliable seafood companies, so you know they’re top quality.
You’d need to have them shipped in a refrigerated container as the temperature needs to be controlled and consistent throughout the journey. These are where reefer containers shine!
Top 5 reefer container manufacturers
Now that your memory has been refreshed in the reefer business, let’s explore some well-known reefer container manufacturers. These reefer container companies are top tier! Take a look:
| Name | Website | Headquarters |
| CIMC | http://www.cimc.com/en/ | Shenzhen, China |
| COSCO Shipping | https://lines.coscoshipping.com/home | Shanghai, China |
| Daikin | https://www.ref.daikin.com/ | Osaka, Japan |
| Maersk Container Industry | https://www.mcicontainers.com/ | Copenhagen, Denmark |
| TLS Offshore Containers International | https://www.tls-containers.com/ | Singapore |
| CXIC | http://www.cxic.com/english/indexEn.do | Changzhou, China |
China International Marine Container Group Co., Ltd. (CIMC)
Based in Shenzhen China, CIMC was founded in 1980 as a merger between China Merchants Group and East Asiatic Company. The company has 11 production bases with an annual capacity of 2 million TEUs. CIMC started refrigerated container manufacturing in 1996 and has a market share of 55% and above.
COSCO Shipping Development Co. Ltd.
COSCO Shipping Development Co. Ltd. is a subsidiary of China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited. The company was established in 1997 with its head office in Shanghai. The company manufactures all types of shipping containers like standard containers, reefers, flat racks and open-top containers. The annual capacity of the company is 11 million TEUs.
Daikin Transportation and Refrigeration Systems
This division is a part of Daikin Industries Ltd, which was founded in 1934, and is headquartered in Japan. The company is one of the frontrunners in the industry when it comes to refrigerated containers. With over 50 years of experience in providing refrigeration equipment to the global container industry, Daikin reefer containers are reliable and boast of quality.
Maersk Container Industry
MCI is headquartered and has R&D and test engineering facilities in Denmark. The company produces reefer containers and Star Cool refrigeration units in Qingdao, China. However, according to a press release by Maersk, the company has sold its reefer manufacturing unit to CIMC. But Maersk will continue its cooperation with MCI in the future.
TLS Offshore Containers International
TLS specializes in manufacturing standard and specialized containers. The company has its headquarters in Singapore but has set up its manufacturing unit in China. It helps the company provide cost-effective containerized solutions to worldwide clients. TLS buys spare parts from Daikin for manufacturing reefer containers.
CXIC Group Containers Co. Ltd.
Yet another Chinese giant, CXIC was founded in 1996 in Changzhou, China. The company has a total annual production capacity of 900,000 TEU of ISO containers and 25,000 units of special containers. CXIC exports 90% of its products to over 40 countries across the world.
So, you have your list of manufacturers, but it’s also beneficial to know a few reefer container suppliers as well. Check out some top suppliers in the next section:
Reefer container suppliers
Finding a reputable container supplier can be a bit of a challenge. So, below you’ll find a list of three trustworthy reefer container suppliers on the xChange platform. You might wonder what makes them so trustworthy, well, that’s because each of our customers must go through a thorough vetting process before they can join with us. This is done so that we give you only the best service.
| MB Metalo Banga | Member since 2021 | Learn more about MB Metalo Banga |
| CCIS Germany GmbH | Member since 2023 | Learn more about CCIS Germany GmbH |
How much do reefer containers cost?
Now that we’ve looked at some of the top refrigerated container manufacturers, let’s look at the average prices of reefer containers in cargo worthy condition in different locations.
| Reefer container prices (cargo-worthy) | |||
| Location | 20ft reefer | 40ft reefer | 40ft HC reefer |
| China | $2,300 | $5,000 | $4,300 |
| India | $5,500 | $5,500 | $7,600 |
| Europe | $5,000 | $4,280 | $3,500 |
Since you’re aware of reefer container prices in different locations, you can easily make deals that maximize your profits and adhere to your budget.
How to buy reefer containers at the best price
So we’ve determined that you’re better off if you buy containers from Europe instead of India. But how do you expand your business globally and gain access to suppliers in Europe?
That’s where we come in! Container xChange offers you an online global marketplace where you can lease, buy & sell containers easily. All you have to do is state your requirement, including your container type and your location. You’ll then be presented with multiple offers to choose from. Just browse through them and compare to choose the offer that meets your requirement the best.
Pro Tip: Refer to Insights to know the current market price for your container. Use this base price to negotiate better with suppliers on our container marketplace.
Plus, all our members go through a vetting process, creating a safe space for you to expand your business globally.
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Here’s what Sogese SRL has to say about our marketplace: “xChange has given us proper support to improve our reputation on an international basis. The trading platform is also a good channel to promote our stock. And a good opportunity for us to understand the prices all over the world.” |
We understand that dealing with new partners can be risky. That’s why we facilitate safe transactions through our xChange wallet. Through the wallet, you can make secure payments and keep track of all your payments in one place.
Plus we don’t charge any commission on your deals. With over 10,000+ containers available in 2,500+ locations, xChange enables you to expand your business and make the best container deals.
Want to try our platform and connect with vetted suppliers for reefer containers? Then click the banner below and get a tour of our platform today.
Reefer container manufacturers: Common FAQs
Who are the top reefer container manufacturers?
Some of the top reefer container manufacturers are CIMC, COSCO Shipping Development, Daikin and CXIC. These companies produce the majority of refrigerated ISO containers.
What is the average price of reefer containers?
The average price of 40ft cargo-worthy reefer container is anywhere around $2500 to $5000. It depends on the location and demand & supply of reefers.
Where are most reefer containers manufactured?
Most reefer container manufacturers are based on China. This is because of the low labor cost and easy availability of raw materials required for reefer container manufacturing. Some top reefer container manufacturing companies are CIMC, CXIC, and COSCO Shipping Development.
