Global Food Processing Equipment Market, By Type (Thermal Equipment, Mixers Blenders & Homogenizers, Cutting & Peeling Equipment, Extraction Equipment and Others), By Mode of Operation (Automatic and Semi-Automatic), By End-Product Form (Solid Form, Liquid Form and Semi-Solid Form), By Application (Bakery & Confectionery, Dairy, Meat & Seafood, Alcoholic Beverages, Non-Alcohol Beverages and Others), By Company and By Geography, Forecast & Opportunities, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 56.89 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	6.26%
Fastest Growing Segment	Automatic
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 81.89 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Food Processing Equipment Market will grow from USD 56.89 Billion in 2025 to USD 81.89 Billion by 2031 at a 6.26% CAGR. The Global Food Processing Equipment Market comprises a broad spectrum of machinery and systems utilized for the handling, preparation, cooking, preservation, and packaging of food products. The primary drivers sustaining market expansion include rapid global urbanization and rising disposable incomes, which collectively elevate consumer demand for convenience foods and processed nutritional items. Additionally, stringent international regulations regarding food safety and hygiene compel manufacturers to consistently upgrade their infrastructure, thereby ensuring a steady demand for compliant and efficient processing technologies.

However, the industry faces a significant challenge in the form of skilled labor shortages, which can impede operational efficiency and delay the implementation of automated solutions. To illustrate the sector's recent export performance, according to VDMA, in 2025, the German food processing and packaging machinery industry recorded an export turnover of 10.6 billion euros for the 2024 fiscal year, representing a 6 percent increase over the previous period. This data underscores the resilience of the machinery trade even as manufacturers navigate high production costs and fluctuating domestic investment levels.

Key Market Drivers

The accelerated adoption of automation and robotics is extensively reshaping the market as manufacturers struggle to mitigate skilled labor shortages. Faced with workforce deficits, companies are aggressively integrating cobots and artificial intelligence to maintain throughput and ensure product quality. This pivot towards digitalization enhances operational resilience against workforce volatility while enabling continuous production cycles. According to Rockwell Automation, June 2025, in the '10th Annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report', 95% of manufacturers have invested in or plan to invest in artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies within the next five years. This investment surge supports broader sector stability, evidenced by strong trade performance in key regions. For instance, according to UCIMA, July 2025, the Italian packaging and processing machinery industry reached a turnover of 10.06 billion euros in 2024, reflecting sustained global demand for advanced machinery.

Simultaneously, the growing need for energy-efficient and sustainable processing solutions is driving R&D spending to reduce the industry's carbon footprint. Stringent regulations and rising utility costs compel processors to replace legacy systems with equipment that minimizes water and energy use. This transition is further accelerated by consumer preference for environmentally responsible brands, forcing manufacturers to demonstrate transparent stewardship. Leading technology providers are optimizing their own manufacturing practices to set industry benchmarks. According to Tetra Pak, June 2025, in the 'FY24 Sustainability Report', the company achieved a 54% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across its own operations compared to the 2019 baseline. Such advancements highlight a trajectory where equipment efficiency is a critical purchasing criterion.

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Key Market Challenges

The shortage of skilled labor constitutes a significant impediment to the growth of the Global Food Processing Equipment Market. As processing machinery becomes more technical to meet hygiene and efficiency standards, the industry requires a workforce proficient in managing complex automated systems. When food manufacturers cannot secure qualified personnel to operate or maintain these units, operational efficiency declines, leading to unplanned downtime and reduced production capacity. Consequently, potential buyers often delay capital investments in new infrastructure, as the risk of machinery sitting idle or being underutilized due to staffing gaps outweighs the potential productivity gains. This hesitation directly contracts the sales volume for equipment manufacturers.

According to PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, in 2025, 95 percent of consumer packaged goods companies reported significant difficulties in finding skilled operators and technicians to support their manufacturing operations. This pervasive talent gap restricts the ability of food processors to upgrade their facilities, thereby slowing the adoption rate of modern machinery and hampering the overall revenue trajectory of the equipment market.

Key Market Trends

The Development of Specialized Equipment for Alternative Protein Processing is gaining momentum as manufacturers transition from adapting traditional dairy or meat machinery to utilizing purpose-built bioreactors and precision fermentation units. This shift is driven by the need to scale production of plant-based and cultivated products while optimizing texture and yield, requiring bespoke engineering that handles delicate cell cultures and complex protein structures. Manufacturers are increasingly establishing dedicated innovation hubs to pilot these technologies before full industrial rollout, ensuring process viability and product consistency. According to GEA Group, July 2025, the company officially opened its New Food Application and Technology Center in Wisconsin following a USD 20 million investment, specifically to support the testing and scaling of alternative protein technologies.

Advancements in High-Pressure Processing (HPP) and Non-Thermal Technologies are simultaneously becoming critical for preserving nutritional value while ensuring food safety without heat-induced degradation. This method allows brands to meet the rising consumer demand for clean-label products by eliminating artificial preservatives, using extreme hydrostatic pressure to inactivate pathogens in packaged foods like juices, dips, and ready-to-eat meats. Adoption is accelerating as the technology becomes more accessible for diverse applications beyond niche premium segments. According to Hiperbaric, March 2025, the manufacturer achieved a major operational milestone by installing its 400th HPP system globally, underscoring the widening industrial integration of non-thermal preservation methods across the food sector.

Segmental Insights

The automatic segment is anticipated to witness the fastest growth within the Global Food Processing Equipment Market due to an increasing necessity for operational efficiency and standardized production. Manufacturers are progressively adopting automated systems to mitigate labor shortages and minimize the risk of contamination, directly aligning with stringent hygiene protocols enforced by agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration. This shift allows companies to ensure consistent product quality while meeting the high-volume requirements of the processed food industry, thereby driving the rapid expansion of this segment.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific maintains a leading position in the Global Food Processing Equipment Market due to substantial growth in the food and beverage sector across China and India. Rising urban populations and increasing disposable incomes have accelerated the demand for convenience foods, prompting manufacturers to expand production capabilities. This consumption shift drives the requirement for industrial processing machinery. Furthermore, stringent safety mandates from organizations like the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) compel companies to upgrade infrastructure, ensuring that equipment meets rigorous hygiene and quality standards to support the expanding regional market.

Recent Developments

• In November 2025, Tetra Pak launched a new automation and digitalization portfolio, known as Factory OS, at a major industry event in Dubai. This platform was engineered to help food and beverage producers transition to AI-ready, digitally connected manufacturing environments. The solution connected equipment and systems across the factory floor to provide real-time data on production performance, quality, and material usage. By creating a unified view of operations, the technology aimed to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and optimize utility consumption. The release highlighted the company's focus on utilizing digital tools to improve resilience and sustainability in food production.
• In September 2025, JBT Marel inaugurated a new Global Production Center in India to expand its manufacturing capabilities and strengthen innovation in food processing. This strategic development followed the completion of the merger between JBT Corporation and Marel earlier in the year, which combined their respective technologies and market reach. The new facility was established to serve the growing demand in the region by providing advanced processing solutions and improved service delivery. By localizing production, the company aimed to enhance its responsiveness to customer needs and support the wider adoption of efficient food processing systems in South Asia.
• In July 2025, GEA officially opened its new Food Application and Technology Center in Janesville, Wisconsin, representing an investment of USD 20 million. The facility served as a center of excellence dedicated to the scaling of alternative proteins, including precision fermentation and cell cultivation. It provided pilot-scale infrastructure that enabled manufacturers to validate processes and transition from laboratory research to industrial production. The center included capabilities for thermal processing, aseptic filling, and downstream separation, supporting the development of sustainable food options. The site was designed to operate on renewable energy, aligning with the company's commitment to sustainable manufacturing.
• In May 2024, Alfa Laval launched the Hygienic WideGap heat exchanger to address sustainability challenges in the liquid food processing sector. This new technology was designed to replace conventional heat transfer methods, potentially reducing emissions by half during the processing of products containing fibers and particles. The equipment featured a patented design optimized for applications such as fruit juices, plant-based beverages, and dressings, facilitating a switch to more energy-efficient operations. By lowering energy and water consumption, the solution aimed to help food producers minimize their environmental footprint while maintaining high standards of hygiene and food safety.

Key Market Players

• BAADER Group
• Marel
• Bühler AG
• GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft
• The Middleby Corporation
• Tetra Laval International S.A.
• Alfa Laval
• Krones AG
• JBT Corporation
• SPX Flow Inc.

By Type	By Mode of Operation	By End-Product Form	By Application	By Region
Thermal Equipment Mixers Blenders & Homogenizers Cutting & Peeling Equipment Extraction Equipment and Others	Automatic and Semi-Automatic	Solid Form Liquid Form and Semi-Solid Form	Bakery & Confectionery Dairy Meat & Seafood Alcoholic Beverages Non-Alcohol Beverages and Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Food Processing Equipment Market, By Type:

• Thermal Equipment
• Mixers Blenders & Homogenizers
• Cutting & Peeling Equipment
• Extraction Equipment and Others

• Food Processing Equipment Market, By Mode of Operation:

• Automatic and Semi-Automatic

• Food Processing Equipment Market, By End-Product Form:

• Solid Form
• Liquid Form and Semi-Solid Form

• Food Processing Equipment Market, By Application:

• Bakery & Confectionery
• Dairy
• Meat & Seafood
• Alcoholic Beverages
• Non-Alcohol Beverages and Others

• Food 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