Food Sorting Machine Market By Technology (Optical Sorting, Laser Sorting, X-Ray Sorting, AI-Based Sorting, Mechanical Sorting); By Food Type (Fruits and Vegetables, Grains and Cereals, Meat, Poultry, and Seafood, Dairy Products, Packaged and Processed Foods); By End-User (Food Processing Companies, Farmers and Cooperatives, Retail and Wholesale Distributors); By Geography, Segment revenue estimation, Forecast, 2024–2032.

The food sorting machine market was estimated to be USD 2.8 billion in 2023, and it is expected to grow to USD 4.5 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 6.9% between 2024 and 2030.

 

The Food Sorting Machine Market focuses on automatic machines for sorting food products according to size, color, weight, shape, and quality. Optical sorting, laser sorting, and mechanical sorting are among the technologies applied in these machines to improve their efficiency and meet food safety requirements. The major application areas of food sorting machines include fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, seafood, grains, and processed foods.

 

The availability and demand for quality foods, enhanced food processing techniques, and authoritative food safety guidelines have motivated the use of food sorting machines. He needs them for two main reasons: they help save money and avoid waste and, simultaneously, to make the products identical.

 

Rising Demand for Processed Foods and Technological Innovations Fueling Market Expansion

Increasing Focus on Food Safety and Quality: Customers' and regulatory bodies' increasing concern about food hygiene has boosted the demand for food sorting machines. These machines are crucial in reducing contaminants, scraps, and unwanted materials and help comply with basic sanitary food contact regulations. Example: In the European Union, the need for the EU General Food Law Regulation led to the installation of new food sorting machines in 2023, which was 20% higher than before.

 

Advancements in Sorting Technologies: Advanced technology has made sorting machines easier and more efficient through the implementation of image recognition of artificial intelligence, hyperspectral imaging, and X-ray sorting, among other things. Example: In Japan, an innovative hyperspectral food sorting machine developed in 2023 enhanced the examination of imperfections in packaged food by 30%, which enhanced productivity and curbed waste.

 

Rising Demand for Processed and Packaged Foods: There is increasing demand for processed foods and convenience foods in the current markets, which in turn means that there is a need to have efficient sorters that give the products a standardized appearance while at the same time avoiding health risks such as contamination. Example: In the United States, the consumption of processed foods increased by 15 percent in 2023, increasing the need for sorting equipment in food processing companies.

 

Smart Sorting Technologies and Global Focus on Sustainability Unlocking Market Potential

Expansion into Emerging Markets: Thus, Asian-Pacific, Latin American, and African nations are opportunities due to rising food production, developing urbanization, and the need for better-quality food products. Example: The Indian food processing industry bought 10% more sorting machines in 2023, mainly owing to the government’s encouragement of automation.

 

Integration of AI and IoT: Incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in sorting machines offers the facility for remote monitoring, forecasting maintenance, and increased sorting efficacy. Example: In Canada, an intelligent food sorting system implemented in 2023 decreased product defects by 20%, proving the successful applicability of smart sorts.

 

Growing Applications in Sustainable Practices: Sorting machines are being increasingly demanded to enhance sustainability in the food industry, which itself is a growing area due to the reduction of food wastage around the globe. For instance, a large food processor in Australia was able to cut food waste by 30% in 2023 by deploying optical sorters that separate defective from good food.

 

Economic Barriers: The Challenge of High Investment Costs in Sorting Machine Implementation

High Initial Investment Costs: Automated food sorting machines, particularly those that incorporate these technologies, are expensive to acquire initially, which is a hindrance to SMEs. Example: South Africa’s small-scale food processors surveyed indicated that the high cost of the equipment was the main reason for not considering food sorting machines in 2023.

 

The complexity of Installation and Maintenance: Complex food sorting equipment requires qualified human capital for installation and maintenance and may not be easily adopted by developing nations. For example, in Vietnam, overall, food processing facilities incurred 20% higher operating expenses in 2023 because of a shortage of technicians to fix sorting machinery.

 

Variability in Raw Material Quality: Unavailability and inconsistency of raw materials in developing regions affect the functionality of food sorting machines by lowering the achievement of sorting efficiency. Example: The cases that required sorting errors in automated systems in Nigeria were 15% in 2023 due to low-quality raw grains increasing the demand for quality standardization

 

Breaking Down the Food Sorting Machine Market: Segmentation by Type, Application, and Region

By Technology

• Optical Sorting

• Laser Sorting

• X-Ray Sorting

• AI-Based Sorting

• Mechanical Sorting

 

By Food Type

• Fruits and Vegetables

• Grains and Cereals

• Meat, Poultry, and Seafood

• Dairy Products

• Packaged and Processed Foods

 

By End-User

• Food Processing Companies

• Farmers and Cooperatives

• Retail and Wholesale Distributors

 

By Region

• North America

• Europe

• Asia-Pacific

• Latin America

• Middle East & Africa

 

Segment Analysis

Leading Technology: Optical Sorting

Optical sorting machines are expected to hold the largest share in 2023, generating 40% of the total market revenue, owing to their capability of detecting defects and contaminants based on visible characteristics like color and size. Example: In France, a specific application in vegetable module processing line whereby optical sorting systems have cut sorting time by a quarter in 2023, improving production efficiency.

 

Leading Food Type: Fruits and Vegetables

The fruits and vegetables segment dominated the market revenue in 2023, with 35%, due to the necessity to conform to export quality. Example, In Chile, the use of optical sorting machines in the blueberry industry improved export yields by 20% in 2023, demonstrating the significant impact of these machines in agriculture.

 

Leading End-User: Food Processing Companies

In 2023, market revenue generated by food processing industries was 60 percent, as these industries use sorting machines to maintain product quality and hygiene standards. Example: Another Italian firm using a laser-based sorting system in manufacturing pasta is said to have reduced the percentage of defective products by 30% in 2023.

 

Regional Insights: Performance by Region

North America is the biggest market, accounting for 35% of the total food processing equipment market revenue in 2023 due to the developed processed food industry and increased food safety standards. For example, in the USA, consumption of X-ray sorting machinery in meat processing plants increased by 18% in 2023 because of a new safety standard by the USDA.

 

The Asia-Pacific market is the most promising, with an 8.1% CAGR because of the fast industrialization process, elevating food production level, and government encouragement of robotization. For instance, processors that adopted laser sorting machines in China saw an export quality improvement of 25% in 2023 as a sign of regional development.

 

Leading Companies in the Food Sorting Machine Market

• TOMRA Systems ASA

• Bühler Group

• Key Technology (Duravant)

• Satake Corporation

• Sesotec GmbH

• Meyer Industries

• GREEFA

• Cimbria (AGCO Corporation)

• Allgaier Process Technology

• Raytec Vision

 

Future Market Prospects: The Road Map of the Food Sorting Machine Market

The foo Sorting Machine Market is set for considerable growth due to continually improving automated systems, food safety issues, and concerns about sustainable food processing systems. Thus, two regions to be the focus of future development are the Asia-Pacific region and Africa.

 

Energy-efficient and smart food sorting machines are expected to be the most in demand by 2030, with sustainability goals and consumer preferences considered. Businesses embracing technology, product differentiation, and market penetration will enter this industry with a competitive advantage.