Cold chain and cold storage in fisheries systems: The linkages between infrastructure, product quality, and food security

Abstract

Background: The Indonesian fisheries sector has significant production potential, but its utilization is not optimal due to high post-harvest losses, weak quality management, and limited cold chain infrastructure. Cold storage, as a crucial node in the cold chain, should be able to maintain fish quality, stabilize supply, and support national seafood security. However, various studies show that these facilities are still operating below capacity and are not well integrated into the supply chain system. Methods: This study employed a systematic literature review using Google Scholar and ScienceDirect. Articles published between 2018 and 2024 were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria, and four primary articles were thematically analyzed according to infrastructure, cold chain challenges, temperature control and product quality, and seafood security. Findings: The study results indicate that cold storage in many regions is not optimal due to the low capacity of fishing fleets, minimal supporting facilities at ports, high operational costs, and weak coordination between actors. Cold chain challenges are also evident in technical aspects such as temperature abuse during handling and distribution, as well as institutional aspects such as the low adoption of RFID, EDI, and blockchain technologies that have been proven to improve supply chain security and transparency. In addition, freezing temperature stability in the range of −15°C to −21°C has been proven to be able to maintain the organoleptic quality and microbiological safety of fishery products according to SNI standards. Conclusion: This study concludes that strengthening the cold chain in Indonesia needs to be carried out in an integrated manner starting from improving storage facilities, modernizing fleets and ports, adopting tracking technology, to increasing quality literacy among business actors. Novelty/Originality of this article: This review integrates cold chain infrastructure, temperature control, product quality, and traceability to provide an integrated perspective on fisheries supply chains and seafood security in Indonesia.