Dublin, Nov. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Food Processing Automation Market Report by Operational Technology and Software, Component, End-User, Application, Automation Level, Countries and Company Analysis, 2025-2033" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.
The Food Processing Automation Market is expected to see dramatic growth, increasing from US$ 24.55 Billion in 2024 to US$ 45.55 Billion in 2033. This expansion reflects a strong Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.11% over the years 2025-2033. The need to be more efficient and offer higher quality products in food processing is compelling this growth, driving technology advancements throughout the industry.
Drivers of Growth for the Food Processing Automation Market
Increased Demand for Packaged and Processed Food
Global trends toward urbanization, hectic lifestyles, and rising disposable incomes are driving demand for packaged and processed foods. Consumers demand ready-to-eat food, dairy items, and packaged snacks, compelling food firms to embrace automation to ensure efficiency and consistency. Automated processes minimize labor dependency, increase speed of production, and improve hygiene standards, essential in responding to rising food safety standards. As the tastes of consumers shift towards convenience and quality, food processors are investing in automation to stay competitive and produce at scale in an efficient manner. JBT completed a USD 3.5 billion acquisition of Marel in January 2025, building a platform from poultry evisceration to high-pressure pasteurisation. Start-ups like Chef Robotics and Sojo Industries snagged meal-kit assembly and mobile packaging jobs through Robotics-as-a-Service pricing. Technology differentiation on onboard AI, edge analytics, and blockchain traceability plug-ins.
Robust Food Safety and Hygiene Regulations
Governments around the world are enforcing more stringent food safety and hygiene regulations, rendering automation critical in the processing industry. Automated equipment minimizes the risk of contamination by reducing human touchpoints and provides accuracy in handling ingredients and packaging. Automated systems can further incorporate traceability functionalities that allow manufacturers to monitor food batches and meet international safety standards. With growing consumer concerns about food hygiene and safety, businesses that choose automation can protect brand image and ensure compliance with ease. In 2025, The World Food Safety Day celebration, organized by the WHO and the Food and Agriculture Organization, employed the theme "Food Safety: Science in Action." This focused on the application of scientific approaches and technological innovation towards controlling food safety hazards.
Technological Breakthroughs in Robotics and AI
The application of robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning in food processing automation is transforming operations. Robots can now sort, cut, and package complex tasks with accuracy and speed. AI systems improve energy efficiency, quality control, and predictive maintenance in factories. All these make production lines cheaper, optimize the utilization of resources, and enhance flexibility. With more changes coming to the manufacturing sector through Industry 4.0, food processors who embrace leading-edge automation technologies become more efficient and innovative in their operations. March 2024, Fortifi Food Processing Solutions has launched a unified platform offering global brands and products in food processing equipment and automation. Operating in over 15 countries across five continents, Fortifi provides solutions for various food sectors, including protein, dairy, and fruits and vegetables. Their technologies enhance productivity, maximize yield, and improve worker safety worldwide.
Challenges in the Food Processing Automation Market
High Initial Investment and Maintenance Costs
One of the main obstacles to food processing automation implementation is the high initial investment of equipment, installation, and integration with legacy systems. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which constitute a majority of the world's food industry, find it difficult to meet such investment costs. Equally, maintenance costs and the requirement for experienced technicians further contribute to the expenses. While automation brings long-term cost savings and efficiency, the up-front cost scares businesses away from quick adoption, particularly in developing countries.
Workforce Resistance and Skill Gaps
Food processing automation stimulates job displacement fear, prompting resistance from current workers. Further, running and maintaining sophisticated automated systems demand skilled personnel, creating a shortage of trained labor. Firms need to invest in retraining employees, which is costly and time-consuming. Lack of technical skills in certain areas makes it all the more challenging to implement. Filling this gap by upskilling the labor force and symbiotic human-machine collaboration will be crucial for a successful transition of automated food processing systems worldwide.
Food Processing Automation Valves and Actuators Market
Valves and actuators are important in food processing automation, as they provide accurate control of fluid flow, temperature, and pressure in production lines. Valves and actuators contribute notably to dairy, beverage, and packaged food processing by ensuring consistency and cleanliness. Automation within valves minimizes human interference, enhancing efficiency and lowering the risk of contamination. The increasing need for accuracy in mixing of ingredients, sterilization, and packaging is driving the use of automated valves and actuators, positioning this segment as a pillar of contemporary food processing automation.
Electric Motors Food Processing Automation Market
Electric motors drive all types of food processing equipment, ranging from conveyors to mixers and packaging equipment. With automation, motors are being increasingly used in smart systems that enable variable speed control and energy optimization. Their contribution towards efficiency, lower energy expenses, and round-the-clock production makes them a must-have in automated plants. With food processors becoming more conscious of sustainability as well as energy efficiency, the need for powerful, high-performance electric motors in automation keeps on rising, enabling long-term efficiency and lower operational expenses.
Food Processing Automation Hardware Market
Hardware is the backbone of food processing automation, encompassing robotics, sensors, control systems, and conveyors. These systems facilitate real-time monitoring, quality assurance, and efficient production. Hardware for automation minimizes errors, maintains standards of hygiene, and maximizes throughput. The hardware market is growing at a fast pace with the increasing use of smart sensors and Internet of Things devices in food manufacturing facilities. As automation technologies continue to innovate and become cheaper, the hardware market is becoming more affordable and crucial to food industry modernization.
Key Attributes
| Report Attribute | Details |
| No. of Pages | 200 |
| Forecast Period | 2024-2033 |
| Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 | $24.55 Billion |
| Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2033 | $45.55 Billion |
| Compound Annual Growth Rate | 7.1% |
| Regions Covered | Global |
Key Topics Covered
1. Introduction
2. Research & Methodology
3. Executive Summary
4. Market Dynamics
4.1 Growth Drivers
4.2 Challenges
5. Global Food Processing Market
6. Market Share Analysis
6.1 By Type
6.2 By Category
6.3 By Application
6.4 By Countries
7. Type
7.1 Cleaning, Sorting, & Grading Equipment
7.2 Cutting, Peeling, & Grinding Equipment
7.3 Mixers & Blenders
7.4 Extrusion Equipment
7.5 Thermal Equipment
7.6 Homogenizers
7.7 Other Equipment
8. Category
8.1 Semi-Automatic
8.2 Fully Automatic
9. Application
9.1 Bakery & Confectionery
9.2 Dairy Products
9.3 Meat & Poultry
9.4 Seafood
9.5 Fruits & Vegetables
9.6 Beverages
9.7 Others
10. Countries
10.1 North America
10.1.1 United States
10.1.2 Canada
10.2 Europe
10.2.1 France
10.2.2 Germany
10.2.3 Italy
10.2.4 Spain
10.2.5 United Kingdom
10.2.6 Belgium
10.2.7 Netherlands
10.2.8 Turkey
10.3 Asia Pacific
10.3.1 China
10.3.2 Japan
10.3.3 India
10.3.4 Australia
10.3.5 South Korea
10.3.6 Thailand
10.3.7 Malaysia
10.3.8 Indonesia
10.3.9 New Zealand
10.4 Latin America
10.4.1 Brazil
10.4.2 Mexico
10.4.3 Argentina
10.5 Middle East & Africa
10.5.1 South Africa
10.5.2 Saudi Arabia
10.5.3 UAE
11. Porter's Five Forces Analysis
11.1 Bargaining Power of Buyers
11.2 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
11.3 Degree of Competition
11.4 Threat of New Entrants
11.5 Threat of Substitutes
12. SWOT Analysis
12.1 Strength
12.2 Weakness
12.3 Opportunity
12.4 Threats
13. Key Players Analysis
- ABB Ltd.
- Alfa Laval AB
- Baader Food Processing Machinery GmbH
- Bosch Rexroth AG
- Buhler Holding AG
- Endress+Hauser Group Services AG
- Emerson Electric Co.
- FANUC Corp.
- Festo SE & Co. KG
- GE A Group AG
For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/uacm47
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