DIARIO DEL PUERTO The protagonists 21 our member companies”, complained Badenes. Although the context seems difficult to handle, the fact is that the current situation of companies in the logistics cold chain is one of ”upward stability”. It may come as a surprise, but Badenes points out that cold storage facilities are increasingly being extended and many new companies are also being started up. This means substantial increases in volume and companies. Indicators show that in the last five years refrigerated volumes have increased by 10% among member companies, bringing their capacity up to four million cubic metres, figures which are driven by increased consumer demand for frozen products. But as in every economic cycle, some facilities have had to close down. AN ADVERSE INTERNATIONAL SCENARIO The international situation in 2022 promises to be a complicated one. In addition to the omnipresent Brexit, there are also new developments such as the conflict in Eastern Europe between Russia and Ukraine. In a globalised economy, everything affects everyone, everywhere. The UK’s exit from the European Union forced companies to increase stocks to maintain export levels, and the cold storage sector responded to the challenge by improving capacity and responding to customer needs. Right now, ”cold stores are in lockstep with their customers to meet the demanding customs requirements of the UK authorities. The healthiness, safety and traceability of Spanish products are completely guaranteed”, says ALDEFE’s General Secretary, Marcos Badenes. Now, the disaster in Eastern Europe ”is hitting us very hard, because it has a direct influence on our energy consumption”, says Badenes. This ”unsustainable” situation can only be offset by ”passing it on to our customers”. Unfortunately, the General Secretary points out, ”this situation is likely to last for a long time, which will worsen the plight of companies”. Logistics operators and cold storage facilities
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