The global food robotics market size was estimated at USD 1.81 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 6.81 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 20.6% from 2024 to 2030. This rapid growth is primarily fueled by the rising global population, which is creating greater demand for food, along with the need for higher productivity and efficiency in the food industry.

Another major driver of this growth is the increasing investments by large organizations in robotics technologies tailored for food-related applications. Over the past few years, the food industry has undergone a significant transformation, largely due to the emergence of food tech startups that are leveraging artificial intelligence and robotics to modernize traditional processes. These startups are reshaping the sector by improving food safety, manufacturing efficiency, and customer experience through automation in areas such as harvesting, planting, cooking, and delivery. By automating repetitive and labor-intensive tasks, robotics also enables human workers to focus on more complex and value-added responsibilities.

Within food processing, robots are gaining importance because of their precision, reliability, and ability to handle heavy workloads under challenging operational conditions. Their capacity to execute tasks with high accuracy makes them indispensable in large-scale production environments. Similarly, in the food service industry, robots are increasingly being deployed for tasks like cooking, preparing meals, and delivering food, reflecting a broader shift toward automation in day-to-day operations.

In addition, specific product categories such as baked goods and packaged dairy products are fueling demand for food robotics. The need for large-scale, consistent, and efficient manufacturing in these industries has created a strong market pull for robotic solutions, further accelerating industry growth.

Key Market Trends & Insights:

• In 2023, Europe’s food robotics market emerged as the dominant regional market, capturing a 30.6% share of global revenue. The region’s leadership position is driven by strong technological adoption, well-established food processing industries, and the increasing integration of robotics across various stages of the food supply chain.

• Within Europe, the Germany food robotics market is projected to witness significant growth in the coming years. This growth is supported by the country’s advanced manufacturing base, rising demand for automation in food processing, and ongoing investments in robotics and artificial intelligence by both domestic companies and global players.

• From a product perspective, articulated robots led the global market in 2023, accounting for a 41.9% revenue share. Their dominance is attributed to their high flexibility, precision, and ability to perform complex movements, making them particularly suitable for diverse food industry applications such as packaging, processing, and palletizing.

• When analyzed by payload capacity, the medium payload segment accounted for the largest share of revenue in 2023. Medium payload robots are widely preferred due to their balance of strength, speed, and adaptability, which makes them highly effective for handling a broad range of food products in both processing and packaging environments.

• In terms of application, the palletizing segment dominated the global food robotics industry in 2023. Palletizing robots are increasingly adopted in the food industry for their ability to streamline the packaging and distribution process, improve efficiency, and reduce labor costs while ensuring consistency and accuracy in stacking and organizing food products for shipment.

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Market Size & Forecast:

• 2023 Market Size: USD 1.81 Billion

• 2030 Projected Market Size: USD 6.81 Billion

• CAGR (2024-2030): 20.6%

• Europe: Largest market in 2023

• Asia Pacific: Fastest growing market

Key Companies & Market Share Insights:

Some of the key companies operating in the global food robotics market include ABB, KUKA AG, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., FANUC CORPORATION, Rockwell Automation, YASKAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATION, and several others. With the demand for robotic solutions in the food industry growing at a rapid pace, these companies are increasingly adopting strategies such as technological innovation, strategic collaborations, investment in research and development, product and service differentiation, and the provision of enhanced post-sale support to strengthen their market presence and gain a competitive edge.

FANUC America Corporation, a leading player in the automation technology domain, has established a strong presence across multiple regions, including Asia Pacific, the Americas, and Europe. The company offers an extensive portfolio of food robotics solutions that address various applications within food processing and handling. Its product lineup includes food-grade robots such as the DR-3iB/6 STAINLESS, designed for hygienic operations; Food & Beverage Robots like the SR-12iA SCARA Robot; the FANUC M-2iA Series optimized for high-speed picking and assembly; and the LR Mate 200iD/4SC Clean Room Robot, tailored for sensitive environments. These solutions highlight FANUC’s focus on efficiency, precision, and safety within the food industry.

Another notable company, Universal Robots A/S, has built its reputation as an innovative provider of Collaborative Robots (Cobots), which are widely used in the food and beverage sector. Cobots are designed to work alongside human operators, enhancing flexibility and efficiency in tasks such as packaging, machine tending, and assembly operations. The company’s product offerings include robots designed for high-speed performance and heavy payloads, as well as compact models suited for smaller workspaces and specialized robots capable of handling larger workpieces and objects. Universal Robots’ emphasis on adaptability and ease of integration makes its solutions particularly attractive for food manufacturers seeking scalable automation.

Key Players

• ABB

• KUKA AG

• Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.

• FANUC CORPORATION

• Rockwell Automation

• YASKAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATION

• DENSO CORPORATION

• Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

• Universal Robots A/S

• JR Automation (Hitachi, Ltd.)

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Conclusion:

The food robotics industry is on a strong upward trajectory, propelled by growing demand for automation, driven by rising food demand, labor cost pressures, and stringent food safety requirements. Europe holds a leadership position in the global market, while investments in research and development, especially by food tech startups, are reshaping the industry landscape. Articulated robots and medium-payload systems lead in adoption, with palletizing identified as the most dominant application. Overall, these factors point toward a robust, innovation-driven future for food robotics.