Food Automation Global Market Report 2024

The primary objective of food automation is to enhance production line efficiencies, increase overall productivity and production quality, and ultimately boost profitability. This technology is applied across various food processing activities to minimize human intervention in processing tasks, encompassing food packaging, raw material mixing, and product preparation to ensure quality and hygienic production.

Key machine types within the food automation market include motors and generators, motor controls, discrete controllers and visualization, rotary products, linear products, among others. Motors and generators, as energy conversion devices, find extensive use in the food industry, particularly in automating processing and other operations. Their demand is sector-specific, notably in areas such as fish, poultry, dairy, and baking goods. Food automation machines exist in both semi-automatic and fully automatic forms, comprising components like plant instrumentation, plant-level controls, and enterprise-level controls. Applications of food automation are prevalent in various sectors, including bakery products, beverages, confectionery, snacks, fruits and vegetables, meat, and more.

The food automation market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides food automation market statistics, including food automation industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a food automation market share, detailed food automation market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the food automation industry. This food automation market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The food automation market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $13.61 billion in 2023 to $15.15 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.3%. The expansion observed during the historical period can be attributed to several factors. These include the heightened consumer demand for processed and convenience foods, a strategic focus on enhancing operational efficiency and productivity in food processing, challenges associated with increased labor costs and workforce availability, a pressing need for reduced waste and improved production yield in food manufacturing, and the adoption of automation to achieve traceability and compliance goals.

The food automation market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $22.64 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.6%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period can be attributed to several key factors. This includes the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in food automation, driven by the demand for flexibility and adaptability in food production lines. Additionally, the expansion of smart packaging and labeling technologies, coupled with a focus on sustainable and eco-friendly food processing solutions, contributes to this growth. Ongoing research and development efforts in next-generation food automation technologies further play a significant role. Prominent trends expected in the forecast period include the increased utilization of robotic automation for food handling and processing, advancements in packaging automation, the implementation of automated quality inspection and food safety systems, the integration of smart sensors and IoT for real-time monitoring, and the adoption of digital twin technology for process simulation. These trends collectively contribute to the evolution and enhancement of food automation practices in the upcoming forecast period.

The burgeoning adaptability of automation is poised to propel growth in the food automation market. The swift inclination toward automation technology, coupled with heightened consumer and regulatory expectations for improved product quality and safety, has resulted in increased automation adoption across industries. This trend offers an efficient solution for the food sector, enhancing food quality, productivity, and profitability while ensuring safety. Automation technologies streamline various operations, from food processing to packaging, reducing manual labor, enhancing safety measures, and optimizing profits. For instance, as of December 2021, the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) reported a steady rise in industrial robots' presence, particularly in the food and beverage manufacturing sectors. The global operational stock of robots increased by 8.6% in 2020, reaching 90,100, reflecting the industry's push toward automation driven by improved technology, competitiveness, and worker safety concerns.

The escalating occurrences of foodborne illnesses are anticipated to fuel the expansion of the food automation market. These diseases, stemming from various bacteria and parasites in food, emphasize the need for a more secure and safe food production process. Automation in the food industry significantly mitigates contamination risks, ensuring adherence to stringent hygiene and safety standards. Automated processes reduce human interaction with food, thereby lowering the likelihood of contamination and the spread of pathogens. According to the World Health Organization's data, globally, unsafe food leads to 600 million cases of foodborne diseases and 420,000 deaths annually, with 30% of these fatalities occurring among children under five years old. Thus, the rising instances of foodborne diseases are expected to drive the growth of the food automation market.

Technological advancements represent a pivotal trend gaining traction within the food automation market. This sector is witnessing the integration of next-generation automation technologies, such as robotics, digital twins, IoT, analytics, data processing, and automated control systems. These innovative solutions offer comprehensive automation, minimizing human intervention and augmenting profitability while ensuring safety standards. For instance, in January 2022, Pazzi Robotics, a France-based firm specializing in kitchen software and robotics, unveiled a fully automated packaged solution tailored for the food and beverage industry. This solution, operating without human intervention, employs robots for tasks ranging from food preparation to final assembly, all executed through automated procedures that combine software, data, and precision robotics.

Key players within the food automation market are strategically directing their investments toward industrial automation and digital transformation to secure a competitive edge. This focus on investment aims to facilitate the swift and effective implementation of robust tools, yielding impactful results. For example, in March 2023, ForgeOS collaborated with Rockwell, a leading entity in industrial automation, and READY Robotics, an innovative software-defined automation company, integrating with Rockwell's Logix controllers and design software. This synergistic alliance streamlines robot integration, simplifying industrial automation deployment timelines, and amplifying time-to-market efficiency, particularly within the food automation sector.

In January 2022, AMF Bakery Systems Inc., a US-based provider of automated bakery equipment solutions, completed the acquisition of Workhorse Automation Inc., an undisclosed transaction value. This strategic move empowers AMF Bakery Systems to fortify its product portfolio by incorporating Workhorse Automation's robotics technologies and extensive engineering proficiency. The amalgamation of these companies' technologies is poised to assist bakers in establishing highly efficient and automated bakeries. Notably, Workhorse Automation Inc., based in the United States, specializes in engineering and automated solutions tailored for the commercial baking industry.

Major companies operating in the food automation market include ABB Group, GEA Group AG, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Rexnord Corporation, Rockwell Automation Inc., Schneider Electric SE, Honeywell International Inc., Emerson Electric Company, Siemens AG, Yokogawa Electric Corporation, Yaskawa Electric Corporation, JBS S.A., Sysco Corporation, Nestle S.A., Archer Daniels Midland Company, Cargill Incorporated, MicroThermics Inc., Semi-Bulk Systems Inc., Atlantic Packaging Products Ltd., Endress+Hauser Group, Krones AG, Tetra Pak International S.A., Robert Bosch GmbH, Duravant LLC, Bühler AG, JBT Corporation, Heat and Control Inc., Key Technology Inc., FANUC Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., KUKA AG, Adept Technology Inc., Stäubli International AG, Omron Corporation

Western Europe was the largest region in the food automation market in 2023. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the food automation market analysis report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East, and Africa.

The countries covered in the food automation market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, and USA.

The food automation market consists of sales of food automation machines including manufacturing execution systems (MES), variable-frequency drive (VFD), valves and actuators, electric motors, sensors, and transmitters among others. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.


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