Food processing machinery market to top $86 billion by 2030

The Business Research Company says the global food processing machinery market will exceed $86 billion in 2030, with Western Europe and the U.S. leading regional and country growth. The report points to rising demand for processed foods, stricter food safety rules and more automation as the main drivers.

Why it matters: - The food processing machinery market is projected to exceed $86 billion in 2030, making it a roughly 2% slice of the broader machinery industry, which is forecast at $5,280 billion. - The forecast points to continued investment in equipment that improves food safety, shelf life, efficiency and automation across global food manufacturing.

What happened: - The Business Research Company released its Food Processing Machinery Market Report 2026, covering market size, trends and a global forecast for 2026-2035. - The report says the market is expected to grow at a 6% CAGR through 2030. - The report includes a free sample request and the full market report.

The details: - Western Europe is projected to be the largest region in 2030, with a market value of $29 billion. - Western Europe’s market is expected to rise from $22 billion in 2025 at a 5% CAGR. - The report ties Western Europe’s growth to strict food safety and quality rules, demand for advanced processing across dairy, bakery, meat and beverage segments, and investment in smart factories and digital production. - The U.S. is projected to be the largest country in 2030, with a market value of $20 billion. - The U.S. market is expected to grow from $15 billion in 2025 at a 5% CAGR. - The report links U.S. growth to demand for high-capacity and precision equipment, robotics, AI-driven processing, labor-efficient systems, frozen and snack food expansion, modernization spending and efforts to cut food waste. - By type, the market includes depositor, extruding machines, mixers, refrigeration, slicers and dicers, and other types. - Refrigeration is projected to be the largest type segment in 2030, accounting for 24% of the market, or $21 billion. - Refrigeration growth is tied to cold storage demand, frozen and chilled food consumption, shelf-life extension, energy-efficient technology, expanded refrigerated facilities and stricter storage rules. - By mode of operation, the market is split into semiautomatic and fully automatic equipment. - By application, the market covers bakery and confectionery, meat, poultry and seafood, dairy, beverages and other uses. - The biggest growth opportunities through 2030 are expected in depositor, extruding machines, mixers, refrigeration, slicers and dicers, and other types. - Those segments are projected to add more than $20 billion in combined market value by 2030. - The depositor market is projected to grow by $2 billion from 2025 to 2030. - The extruding machines market is projected to grow by $4 billion over the same period. - The mixers market is projected to grow by $5 billion. - The refrigeration market is projected to grow by $5 billion. - The slicers and dicers market is projected to grow by $2 billion. - The other types market is projected to grow by $2 billion. - The report says new 2026 additions include market attractiveness scoring, TAM analysis, company scoring matrix graphics and tables, Excel-based forecasting dashboards, market hotspots infographics, key technologies and future trend analysis, plus updated graphics and tables.

Between the lines: - The report suggests food machinery demand is shifting toward automation, compliance and energy efficiency rather than basic capacity alone. - The strongest demand signals are coming from categories tied to cold chain infrastructure, precision processing and factory modernization. - The report’s growth estimates reflect industry expectations, not audited market results.

What's next: - The biggest near-term gains are expected in equipment that supports frozen and chilled foods, automated production and traceability. - The report’s forecast implies more spending on upgrades as manufacturers respond to stricter regulations and changing consumer demand for convenience foods. - The Business Research Company says it will continue adding benchmarking and forecasting tools to its market reports.