*Temperature-controlled road transportation from 0.02 to 0.66 kg CO2eq per metric ton-kilometer
Emission factors can span a range of values depending on factors such as the efficiency of vehicle used; packing/loading density of freight; distribution between passenger and freight allocation in shared transport; amongst other factors.
Citation formats
Global food transportation emission factors 2018, by transport mode
Transporting food by air emits **** kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent per metric ton-kilometer (kg CO2eq per metric ton-kilometer). This is considerably higher than the emission factor of transporting foods by sea, which is between **** to **** kg CO2eq per metric ton-kilometer.
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OWID. (January 28, 2020). Emission factors for transporting food worldwide as of 2018, by selected modes of transport (in kilograms of CO2 equivalent per metric ton-kilometer) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 30, 2026, from /statistics/1253773/food-freight-transport-emission-factors-by-mode/
OWID. "Emission factors for transporting food worldwide as of 2018, by selected modes of transport (in kilograms of CO2 equivalent per metric ton-kilometer)." Chart. January 28, 2020. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 30, 2026. /statistics/1253773/food-freight-transport-emission-factors-by-mode/
OWID. (2020). Emission factors for transporting food worldwide as of 2018, by selected modes of transport (in kilograms of CO2 equivalent per metric ton-kilometer). ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 30, 2026. /statistics/1253773/food-freight-transport-emission-factors-by-mode/
OWID. "Emission Factors for Transporting Food Worldwide as of 2018, by Selected Modes of Transport (in Kilograms of Co2 Equivalent per Metric Ton-kilometer)." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 28 Jan 2020, /statistics/1253773/food-freight-transport-emission-factors-by-mode/
OWID, Emission factors for transporting food worldwide as of 2018, by selected modes of transport (in kilograms of CO2 equivalent per metric ton-kilometer) ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1253773/food-freight-transport-emission-factors-by-mode/ (last visited July 30, 2026)
Emission factors for transporting food worldwide as of 2018, by selected modes of transport (in kilograms of CO2 equivalent per metric ton-kilometer) [Graph], OWID, January 28, 2020. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1253773/food-freight-transport-emission-factors-by-mode/
