Food Automation Global Market Report 2026

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.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs are significantly impacting the food automation market by increasing the cost of imported motors, servo drives, programmable logic controllers, sensors, and industrial control systems that are critical for automated food processing lines. Food manufacturers in North America and Europe are particularly affected due to their reliance on imported automation components, while Asia-Pacific faces pricing pressure on exported automated systems. These tariffs are raising capital expenditure requirements and slowing automation upgrades for small and mid-sized processors. However, they are also encouraging localization of automation manufacturing, regional sourcing of control components, and innovation in cost-efficient automation architectures tailored to domestic food producers.

The food automation market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company 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 $16.46 billion in 2025 to $18.12 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growing industrialization of food processing, rising labor cost pressures, increasing demand for packaged food products, expansion of large-scale food manufacturing facilities, adoption of mechanized production systems.

The food automation market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $26.46 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing investments in smart food factories, rising adoption of AI-enabled quality inspection, expansion of ready-to-eat food consumption, growing focus on food safety compliance, increasing demand for flexible automation systems. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of fully automated food processing lines, rising integration of vision systems and sensors, growing demand for hygienic and contamination-free automation, expansion of robotics in packaging and handling, enhanced focus on operational efficiency.

The rising demand for processed foods is expected to drive the growth of the food automation market going forward. Processed foods are products altered from their natural state through methods such as canning, freezing, drying, or adding preservatives to improve shelf life and convenience. Factors such as busy lifestyles, growing urbanization, and the desire for longer-lasting, convenient foods are fueling this demand. Automated systems ensure consistent product quality, reducing variability associated with manual labor. For instance, in July 2023, the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI), a US-based professional organization, reported that frozen fruit sales rose 8.8% in the first half of 2023, while processed meats, including chicken (+9.6%), breakfast sausage (+7.4%), and beef (+3.1%), and frozen meal solutions, such as pizza (+1.3%), side dishes (+3.2%), and potato products like fries (+0.6%) and tater tots (+8.2%), also experienced growth. Therefore, the increasing demand for processed foods is driving the food automation market.

Major companies in the food automation market are focusing on investments in industrial automation and digital transformation to gain a competitive edge. Such investments enable faster implementation of advanced tools and improved production outcomes. For example, in March 2023, ForgeOS integrated with Rockwell's Logix controllers and design and simulation software, along with READY Robotics' software-defined automation platform. This combination simplifies robot integration and reduces the deployment time for industrial automation solutions, including food automation.

In March 2025, Hanwha Foodtech Global Inc., a US-based foodtech company, acquired Stellar Pizza for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Hanwha Foodtech aims to expand its presence in automated food production and enhance its robotics-driven food service capabilities, leveraging Stellar Pizza's innovative systems and operational expertise. Stellar Pizza is a US-based company operating mobile, automated restaurants in food trucks that use robotics to prepare pizzas from scratch.

Major companies operating in the food automation market are 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, 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, Buhler AG, JBT Corporation, Heat and Control Inc., Key Technology Inc., FANUC Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., KUKA AG, Adept Technology Inc., Staubli International AG, Omron Corporation

Western Europe was the largest region in the food automation market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the food automation market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa

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

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.

Food Automation Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses food automation market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for food automation ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The food automation market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Type: Motors And Generators; Motor Controls; Discrete Controllers And Visualization; Rotary Products; Linear Products; Other Types
• 2) By Operation: Semi Automatic; Fully Automatic
• 3) By Component: Plant Instrumentation; Plant-Level Controls
• 4) By Application: Bakery Products; Drinks; Candy; Snacks; Fruits And Vegetables; Meat; Other Applications
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Motors and Generators: AC Motors; DC Motors; Servo Motors; Stepper Motors
• 2) By Motor Controls: Variable Frequency Drives (VFD); Soft Starters; Motor Protection Relays
• 3) By Discrete Controllers and Visualization: Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC); Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI); Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Systems
• 4) By Rotary Products: Rotary Actuators; Rotary Encoders; Gearboxes
• 5) By Linear Products: Linear Actuators; Linear Guides; Positioning Systems
• 6) By Other Types: Sensors and Switches; Safety Relays; Control Panels
• Companies Mentioned: 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; 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; Buhler AG; JBT Corporation; Heat and Control Inc.; Key Technology Inc.; FANUC Corporation; Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd.; KUKA AG; Adept Technology Inc.; Staubli International AG; Omron Corporation
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain.
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
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