This study examines the behavioral barriers to adopting cold chain solutions in Bangladesh's livestock value chains. It aims to identify challenges related to frozen livestock product consumption and cold chain investment, while suggesting potential solutions. Using primary data from Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and secondary sources, the study finds that cultural, economic, and socio-political factors contribute to negative perceptions of chilled and frozen milk and meat, particularly among lower-income groups who prefer fresh products due to perceived nutritional value. Urbanization, however, is driving demand for chilled and frozen options among middle- to high-income consumers. Consumer decisions are influenced by factors such as nutritional value, taste, price, availability, hygiene, packaging, and branding. Traditional practices, which prioritize immediate sales, deter butchers from investing in cold chain solutions. However, some butchers are open to adopting modern technologies if supported by government and financing. Traditional sweet meat producers primarily use milk to make sweets, yogurt, and fermented products, highlighting the need for support to modernize their businesses with cooling facilities. Challenges in the informal livestock sector, such as poor hygiene and limited cooling facilities, restrict the market for chilled and frozen food products. In contrast, the formal sector, including supermarkets and processing plants, has showcased successful cold chain models. To address these issues, the study recommends investing in energy-efficient refrigeration, improving inventory management practices, and implementing awareness campaigns. Collaborative efforts among the government, financial institutions, and industry stakeholders—along with policy reforms, financial incentives, and capacity-building initiatives—are essential for creating an enabling environment for cold chain infrastructure. Ultimately, addressing these barriers can enhance food safety, reduce waste, and increase the sustainability of Bangladesh’s meat and milk industries.
Published in | International Journal of Agricultural Economics (Volume 10, Issue 1) |
DOI | 10.11648/j.ijae.20251001.12 |
Page(s) | 5-17 |
Creative Commons |
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited. |
Copyright |
Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group |
Chilled Livestock Products, Consumer Behavior, Influencing Factors, Investment
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APA Style
Islam, S. M. F., Rahman, S. M. R., Bhuiyanmishu, S. (2025). Unveiling the Chilled Meat and Milk Demand: Exploring Behavioral Hurdles in Embracing Cold Chain Solutions within Bangladesh's Livestock Sector. International Journal of Agricultural Economics, 10(1), 5-17. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijae.20251001.12
ACS Style
Islam, S. M. F.; Rahman, S. M. R.; Bhuiyanmishu, S. Unveiling the Chilled Meat and Milk Demand: Exploring Behavioral Hurdles in Embracing Cold Chain Solutions within Bangladesh's Livestock Sector. Int. J. Agric. Econ. 2025, 10(1), 5-17. doi: 10.11648/j.ijae.20251001.12
@article{10.11648/j.ijae.20251001.12, author = {Sheikh Mohammad Fakhrul Islam and Sarker Mohammad Rajiur Rahman and Siddika Bhuiyanmishu}, title = {Unveiling the Chilled Meat and Milk Demand: Exploring Behavioral Hurdles in Embracing Cold Chain Solutions within Bangladesh's Livestock Sector}, journal = {International Journal of Agricultural Economics}, volume = {10}, number = {1}, pages = {5-17}, doi = {10.11648/j.ijae.20251001.12}, url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijae.20251001.12}, eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijae.20251001.12}, abstract = {This study examines the behavioral barriers to adopting cold chain solutions in Bangladesh's livestock value chains. It aims to identify challenges related to frozen livestock product consumption and cold chain investment, while suggesting potential solutions. Using primary data from Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and secondary sources, the study finds that cultural, economic, and socio-political factors contribute to negative perceptions of chilled and frozen milk and meat, particularly among lower-income groups who prefer fresh products due to perceived nutritional value. Urbanization, however, is driving demand for chilled and frozen options among middle- to high-income consumers. Consumer decisions are influenced by factors such as nutritional value, taste, price, availability, hygiene, packaging, and branding. Traditional practices, which prioritize immediate sales, deter butchers from investing in cold chain solutions. However, some butchers are open to adopting modern technologies if supported by government and financing. Traditional sweet meat producers primarily use milk to make sweets, yogurt, and fermented products, highlighting the need for support to modernize their businesses with cooling facilities. Challenges in the informal livestock sector, such as poor hygiene and limited cooling facilities, restrict the market for chilled and frozen food products. In contrast, the formal sector, including supermarkets and processing plants, has showcased successful cold chain models. To address these issues, the study recommends investing in energy-efficient refrigeration, improving inventory management practices, and implementing awareness campaigns. Collaborative efforts among the government, financial institutions, and industry stakeholders—along with policy reforms, financial incentives, and capacity-building initiatives—are essential for creating an enabling environment for cold chain infrastructure. Ultimately, addressing these barriers can enhance food safety, reduce waste, and increase the sustainability of Bangladesh’s meat and milk industries.}, year = {2025} }
TY - JOUR T1 - Unveiling the Chilled Meat and Milk Demand: Exploring Behavioral Hurdles in Embracing Cold Chain Solutions within Bangladesh's Livestock Sector AU - Sheikh Mohammad Fakhrul Islam AU - Sarker Mohammad Rajiur Rahman AU - Siddika Bhuiyanmishu Y1 - 2025/01/24 PY - 2025 N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijae.20251001.12 DO - 10.11648/j.ijae.20251001.12 T2 - International Journal of Agricultural Economics JF - International Journal of Agricultural Economics JO - International Journal of Agricultural Economics SP - 5 EP - 17 PB - Science Publishing Group SN - 2575-3843 UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijae.20251001.12 AB - This study examines the behavioral barriers to adopting cold chain solutions in Bangladesh's livestock value chains. It aims to identify challenges related to frozen livestock product consumption and cold chain investment, while suggesting potential solutions. Using primary data from Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and secondary sources, the study finds that cultural, economic, and socio-political factors contribute to negative perceptions of chilled and frozen milk and meat, particularly among lower-income groups who prefer fresh products due to perceived nutritional value. Urbanization, however, is driving demand for chilled and frozen options among middle- to high-income consumers. Consumer decisions are influenced by factors such as nutritional value, taste, price, availability, hygiene, packaging, and branding. Traditional practices, which prioritize immediate sales, deter butchers from investing in cold chain solutions. However, some butchers are open to adopting modern technologies if supported by government and financing. Traditional sweet meat producers primarily use milk to make sweets, yogurt, and fermented products, highlighting the need for support to modernize their businesses with cooling facilities. Challenges in the informal livestock sector, such as poor hygiene and limited cooling facilities, restrict the market for chilled and frozen food products. In contrast, the formal sector, including supermarkets and processing plants, has showcased successful cold chain models. To address these issues, the study recommends investing in energy-efficient refrigeration, improving inventory management practices, and implementing awareness campaigns. Collaborative efforts among the government, financial institutions, and industry stakeholders—along with policy reforms, financial incentives, and capacity-building initiatives—are essential for creating an enabling environment for cold chain infrastructure. Ultimately, addressing these barriers can enhance food safety, reduce waste, and increase the sustainability of Bangladesh’s meat and milk industries. VL - 10 IS - 1 ER -