Shipping ice products and shipping water products requires careful consideration of regional temperatures, transportation equipment and national regulations. For over three decades, ABCO Transportation has upheld the highest standards in refrigerated shipments. Our service area extends through the South, up through the Northeast and much of the Midwest.
Here’s a snapshot of the customers ordering ice and water products as well as how ABCO can make a difference for your temperature-sensitive shipments.
Shipping Ice Products for Consumers
According to Fortune Business Insights, the global ice merchandiser market size was worth $208.6 million in 2020. This is expected to increase to 261.6 million by 2028, owing to a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%. With the advent of modern refrigeration, the global ice market remains strong, as both industries continue to grow together.
The top three consumers of ice products by industry include food, grocery and catering. The food industry concerns primary and secondary producers of items later sold via grocery where there is constant demand for ice products. Aside from using ice to maintain temperatures, grocery businesses are the primary distributor of bagged ice to the average consumer. Additionally, Fortune Business Insights predicts additional growth in the catering industry market share. The utility of ice for both cold storage and culinary display pieces represents a growing need for such ice products.
A less known but growing ice market concerns vaccination storage. When the COVID-19 pandemic first disrupted supply chain operations, shipping ice products became a reliable supplement to refrigeration units after COVID-19 vaccines debuted in late 2020. There is some crossover with the grocery market, as several prominent chains also provide in-house drugstore amenities or even vaccination clinics. Overall, vaccination storage is expected to continue driving ice purchases.
Is a Water Delivery Business Profitable?
India and U.S.-based marketing research company Grand View Research valued the global bottled water market at $348.64 billion in 2024. Between 2025 and 2030, an anticipated 6.4% compound annual growth rate will lead to further industry developments. Several factors, such as increasingly health-conscious consumers, the longevity of recyclable polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and even groundbreaking water extraction technologies have contributed to the staying power of the modern bottled water industry.
Grand View Research also indicates 88.8% of 2024 bottled water products were sold via off-trade distribution channels. In the food and beverage industry, “off-trade” refers to goods purchased and consumed later, away from the seller, such as grocery stores and online sales. Meanwhile, on-trade products are consumed at the respective restaurant, hotel or club where those products are purchased. The dominance of off-trade sales is attributed to the ability of consumers to compare bottled water products and sheer availability of choice at various distributor outlets.
Thanks to continued demand for high-quality products, water delivery remains a profitable venture for transportation companies. ABCO is a proud recipient of carrier awards from business partners who transport bottled water and related products. Does your company ship water or a related commodity? Fill out our online form and get a quote to determine if we’re the right shipping partner for you.
The Best Way to Ship Cold Products: Ice and Water
With many ABCO customers situated throughout the deep South, refrigerated trucks or “reefers,” are a necessity for shipping ice products and during surprise cold snaps, as well as heat waves. ABCO’s fleet of reefers combines sensors and telematics technology with periodic temperature checks from our drivers to safely ship your ice products to their destination.
Our team maintains shipping knowledge for even the most unorthodox ice products. For example, regulation surrounding the transportation of dry ice is varied based on the shipping medium. While solid CO2 is not considered dangerous for ground transport, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) maintains guidelines for moving this product via air carriers. This includes specific labeling, quantity rules and arrangements with the shipping provider be fulfilled beforehand. ABCO is one of many intermodal carriers familiar with current dry ice shipping regulations, especially as they pertain to air transport.
While ABCO does occasionally utilize reefer trailers for shipping water products, dry van service is more common for palletized water. The weight of liquid, especially items with significant volume, often makes dry truckloads a more cost-efficient shipping option for both parties. ABCO still uses refrigerated trailers when shipping water products in the midst of temperature extremes. Ultimately, dry van service occupies the vast majority of our company’s regional water shipments.
Contact Us Today
Call 800.464.2226 to speak with a company representative or email info@shipabco.com to get started shipping ice products or shipping water products with ABCO Transportation. Also check out our Contact page where you can leave your name, email address and submit an inquiry for our team. Make shipping ice and water products easier by partnering with a trusted provider in refrigerated trucking services.
