Confectionery Processing Equipment Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Thermal Equipment, Extrusion Equipment, Mixers, Blenders & Cutters, Cooling Equipment, Coating Equipment, and Other Equipment), By Product (Soft Confectionery, Hard Candies, Chewing Gums, Gummies & Jellies, and Others), By Mode of Operation (Automatic and Semi-Automatic), By Region, By Competition Forecast & Opportunities 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 5.98 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	10.49%
Fastest Growing Segment	Blenders & Cutters
Largest Market	Europe
Market Size (2031)	USD 10.88 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Confectionery Processing Equipment Market will grow from USD 5.98 Billion in 2025 to USD 10.88 Billion by 2031 at a 10.49% CAGR. Confectionery processing equipment encompasses specialized machinery utilized for the preparation, cooking, forming, and cooling of sweet goods, including chocolate, hard candies, gums, and jellies. The market’s expansion is primarily supported by rapid global urbanization and rising disposable incomes, which have fundamentally increased consumer demand for industrially produced, high-quality confectionery. Furthermore, manufacturers are heavily investing in automated production lines to ensure consistent product hygiene and to meet the high-volume output required by modern retail supply chains. According to the VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association, in 2025, the global trade volume of food processing and packaging machinery reached a preliminary peak of €54.5 billion for the year 2024, underscoring the robust industrial activity in this sector.

However, a significant challenge impeding broader market expansion is the substantial capital investment required for these advanced processing systems. The high cost of procuring and installing state-of-the-art machinery often acts as a barrier to entry for small and medium-sized enterprises, limiting their ability to upgrade from manual or semi-automatic processes. This financial constraint is particularly acute in price-sensitive emerging markets, where manufacturers may struggle to justify the return on investment amidst fluctuating raw material prices. Consequently, while the demand for end-products remains high, the capital-intensive nature of the equipment continues to restrict the potential customer base and overall market growth rate.

Key Market Drivers

Rising Global Consumption of Chocolate and Sugar Confectionery acts as a fundamental propellant for the machinery market, necessitating the expansion of manufacturing capabilities to meet escalating consumer appetites. As disposable incomes rise and urbanization accelerates, producers are compelled to scale operations, moving from batch to continuous processing methods to ensure supply consistency. This demand surge is quantified by recent industry performance; according to the National Confectioners Association, March 2025, in the '2025 State of Treating' report, confectionery sales topped $54 billion in 2024 across all outlets, reflecting the category's resilience. To capture this value, major processors are investing heavily in capacity, with industry leader Barry Callebaut reporting that according to Barry Callebaut, in 2024, sales revenue surged by 28.1% to CHF 10.4 billion, underscoring the high financial stakes that drive capital expenditure in processing infrastructure.

The Integration of Advanced Automation and Industry 4.0 Technologies serves as the second critical driver, transforming traditional manufacturing floors into smart, connected ecosystems. Manufacturers are increasingly adopting robotic systems, IoT-enabled sensors, and data analytics to mitigate labor shortages and enhance operational efficiency. These technologies allow for precise control over complex recipes and minimize waste, which is essential for maintaining profit margins in a cost-competitive environment. The global reliance on such high-tech solutions is evident in trade flows; according to the VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association, June 2025, in the 'Machinery manufacturing expects momentum from drinktec 2025' press release, German exports of food processing and packaging machinery increased by 6% to €10.6 billion in 2024. This export growth highlights the widespread international adoption of sophisticated European processing technologies to modernize confectionery production lines.

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Key Market Challenges

The substantial capital investment required for automated confectionery processing systems constitutes a primary impediment to market scalability. For many small and medium-sized enterprises, the procurement and installation costs of modern machinery create a prohibitive barrier to entry. This financial strain is especially pronounced in price-sensitive regions where manufacturers operate on thin margins, making the return on investment for high-cost equipment difficult to justify. As a result, a significant portion of the industry remains reliant on manual or semi-automatic methods, effectively capping the adoption rate of advanced technology and limiting the customer base to large, capital-rich corporations.

This hesitation to commit to heavy expenditures directly affects industrial performance metrics. When manufacturers delay upgrades due to cost concerns, the market experiences a tangible slowdown in machinery output and sales volume. According to the VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association, in 2025, production in the food processing and packaging machinery sector declined by nearly 2% to €16.1 billion for the year 2024, driven by significantly weaker investment activity. This contraction underscores how high capital requirements, coupled with economic caution, directly hamper the broader expansion of the equipment market.

Key Market Trends

Innovation in Machinery for Processing Functional and Sugar-Free Ingredients is fundamentally altering production lines as manufacturers respond to health-conscious consumer demands. Processing sugar substitutes, such as polyols or stevia, requires specialized equipment capable of managing distinct rheological properties and lower melting points compared to traditional sucrose. This shift is driving the development of high-precision dosing and temperature-controlled mixing systems to ensure texture consistency in reformulated treats. According to the National Confectioners Association, March 2025, in the '2025 State of Treating' report, 62% of consumers now believe that better-for-you confectionery options exist, indicating a mature market readiness that compels producers to upgrade their technical capabilities for functional ingredient integration.

Concurrently, the Shift Towards Energy-Efficient and Sustainable Processing Systems has become a decisive factor in equipment procurement, driven by volatile energy costs and stringent environmental mandates. Manufacturers are prioritizing machinery with integrated heat recovery units, water recycling loops, and optimized drive systems to reduce operational expenditures and carbon footprints. This strategic pivot towards sustainability is directly influencing machinery sales performance for major technology providers. According to GEA Group, March 2025, in the 'Annual Report 2024', revenue grew by 0.9% to €5.4 billion, a performance the company explicitly attributed to its competitive advantage in delivering innovative, sustainable technology solutions.

Segmental Insights

The Blenders and Cutters segment represents the fastest-growing category within the Global Confectionery Processing Equipment Market, driven by the increasing necessity for precise ingredient homogenization. Manufacturers are extensively adopting these systems to ensure the uniform distribution of flavors and additives in products like chocolates and gummies, which is vital for maintaining consistent quality. Furthermore, the rising demand for high-speed portioning in automated production lines has bolstered the reliance on precision cutting machinery. This trend is reinforced by stringent industry hygiene protocols, which necessitate automated blending units to minimize manual contact and mitigate contamination risks during processing.

Regional Insights

Europe commands the Global Confectionery Processing Equipment Market, driven by a rich heritage of confectionery production and substantial consumer demand for premium chocolate and bakery products. Industry analysis indicates that the region benefits significantly from the concentration of established equipment manufacturers in Germany and Switzerland, fostering continuous innovation in automation. Furthermore, rigorous food safety standards enforced by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) necessitate the adoption of hygienic, high-efficiency machinery. This combination of advanced industrial capabilities and strict regulatory compliance secures Europe’s position as the dominant region in the sector.

Recent Developments

• In January 2025, Bühler Group acquired the puffing technology business from Cerex, a Swiss manufacturer known for its specialized processing systems. This strategic expansion allowed the company to broaden its equipment portfolio for the confectionery and snack industries, specifically focusing on the production of puffed grains and related treats. The newly integrated technology offers manufacturers significantly improved energy efficiency and higher production yields compared to traditional methods. By incorporating this advanced puffing capability, the company strengthened its ability to deliver end-to-end solutions that support the development of diverse and high-quality confectionery products.
• In October 2024, Aasted ApS announced a strategic collaboration by becoming a shareholder in SweetConnect, a comprehensive digital platform for the confectionery manufacturing industry. This partnership involved joining forces with other established machinery builders to develop a unified digital ecosystem that streamlines production monitoring, maintenance, and spare parts procurement. Through this initiative, the company aimed to provide chocolate and bakery producers with a centralized hub for managing equipment performance and support services. The move underscored a growing trend toward digitalization and cross-company cooperation to enhance operational efficiency within the global confectionery market.
• In September 2024, GEA Group launched the PowerPak 1000 thermoforming machine during the PPMA show in the United Kingdom. While the system serves various food sectors, the company highlighted its integration with the SmartPacker CX400, a vertical form-fill-seal model specifically optimized for high-capacity confectionery and snack packaging. The new thermoformer was designed to offer compact yet powerful performance, enabling manufacturers to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs. By presenting these technologies together, the company demonstrated its ability to supply complete, seamless production lines that ensure high hygiene standards and packaging quality for sweet goods.
• In January 2024, Syntegon Technology demonstrated its latest advancements for the confectionery sector at the ProSweets trade fair in Cologne. The company introduced the Makat BC96, a fully automated oiling drum designed to enhance the finishing process for gummies and jellies. This new processing unit features advanced centerlining capabilities and recipe management systems, which help manufacturers maintain consistent product quality while reducing the reliance on manual labor. Alongside this processing innovation, the company also showcased the SVX Duplex, a high-speed vertical packaging machine engineered to deliver high output rates for various confectionery bag styles.

Key Market Players

• Baker Perkins
• Heat and Control, Inc.
• BCH Ltd.
• Sollich
• Tanis Confectionery
• Alfa Laval
• JBT Corporation
• Bosch
• Aasted
• Bühler AG

By Type	By Product	By Mode of Operation	By Region
Thermal Equipment Extrusion Equipment Mixers Blenders & Cutters Cooling Equipment Coating Equipment Other Equipment	Soft Confectionery Hard Candies Chewing Gums Gummies & Jellies Others	Automatic and Semi-Automatic	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Confectionery Processing Equipment Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Confectionery Processing Equipment Market, By Type:

• Thermal Equipment
• Extrusion Equipment
• Mixers
• Blenders & Cutters
• Cooling Equipment
• Coating Equipment
• Other Equipment

• Confectionery Processing Equipment Market, By Product:

• Soft Confectionery
• Hard Candies
• Chewing Gums
• Gummies & Jellies
• Others

• Confectionery Processing Equipment Market, By Mode of Operation:

• Automatic and Semi-Automatic

• Confectionery Processing Equipment Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE