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 of the Food Sorting Machine Market

By Technology:

Leading Segment: Optical Sorting

Optical sorting is the leading technology in the food sorting machine market, holding a significant market share due to its versatility, accuracy, and efficiency in sorting a wide range of food products. Optical sorting uses cameras, lasers & other sensors to detect and separate items based on color, size, and shape. It is widely adopted in industries such as fruits and vegetables, grains, and cereals. The optical sorting segment is expected to maintain its dominance, with a market share of around 45-50%. This technology is particularly prevalent in high-throughput environments, such as large-scale food processing plants. As food safety standards & the demand for consistent quality rise, optical sorting remains the go-to solution for automated sorting.

Fastest-Growing Segment: AI-Based Sorting

AI-based sorting is the fastest-growing technology segment, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 10-12% over the forecast period. The rise of AI technologies in the food industry is driving innovations in sorting systems, allowing for more precise sorting based on not just visual features but also texture, density & ripeness. AI-based sorting machines offer enhanced adaptability, learning from previous sorting operations, & continuously improving performance. The growing demand for advanced sorting techniques, especially in high-value food categories like fruits & vegetables, is propelling the rapid adoption of AI-based sorting.

 

By Food Type:

Leading Segment: Fruits and Vegetables

The fruits and vegetables segment is the largest application area for food sorting machines, making up nearly 40% of the total market share. Sorting machines are widely used to inspect, classify & grade fruits and vegetables based on parameters such as size, color, and surface defects. The demand in this segment is driven by the growing need for consistent product quality, increased production volumes & automation in the food processing industry. Optical and AI-based sorting technologies are particularly prevalent in this segment, with applications in sorting fruits like apples, tomatoes, and berries. As consumer demand for fresh, high-quality produce grows, this segment remains a key driver of the food sorting machine market.

Fastest-Growing Segment: Packaged and Processed Foods

The packaged and processed foods segment is the fastest-growing segment, with a projected CAGR of 8-10%. The demand for food sorting machines in this category is increasing as manufacturers focus on improving packaging & maintaining consistency in processed food products. Sorting machines are used to inspect packaged food items for quality control, detect foreign objects & ensure uniformity in packaging. The rapid growth of this segment is driven by the increasing preference for ready-to-eat & convenience foods, alongside the rise in food safety regulations that require more advanced sorting solutions to ensure product integrity.

 

By End-User:

Leading Segment: Food Processing Companies

Food processing companies are the largest end-users of food sorting machines, accounting for more than 50% of the market share. These companies rely on sorting machines to enhance their production efficiency, ensure quality control & meet regulatory standards. Sorting machines are used across various stages of food processing, from raw ingredient sorting to final product inspection. The growing trend toward automation in food processing is fueling the demand for these machines. Companies involved in high-volume production, such as those processing fruits, vegetables, grains & meat, drive the adoption of sorting machines in this segment.

Fastest-Growing Segment: Retail and Wholesale Distributors

Retail and wholesale distributors represent the fastest-growing end-user segment, with a CAGR of 9-11%. As the retail sector increasingly emphasizes food safety, traceability & quality assurance, there is a growing demand for sorting technologies to ensure that food products are up to standard before reaching consumers. Retailers are adopting sorting machines to inspect packaged foods, remove defects & ensure compliance with food safety regulations. The expanding retail chains, along with rising consumer expectations for quality, are driving the growth of this segment.

 

By Region:

Leading Region: North America

North America holds the largest share in the food sorting machine market, driven by a mature food processing industry, high adoption of advanced technologies, and stringent food safety regulations. The United States and Canada are major markets for food sorting machines, particularly in the fruits and vegetables, meat, and packaged food sectors. North America's well-developed infrastructure, high demand for processed & packaged food products, and focus on improving food quality control contribute to its market leadership.

Fastest-Growing Region: Asia-Pacific

The Asia-Pacific region is the fastest-growing region for the food sorting machine market, with a projected CAGR of 10-12%. The growth is fueled by the increasing food processing activities in countries like China and India, as well as the rising demand for high-quality food products across emerging markets. The rapid expansion of the food processing & packaging industries in this region, along with the rise in consumer demand for safe and high-quality food, is driving the adoption of food sorting machines. Additionally, increased investment in food safety and quality standards in countries like Japan, South Korea, and Australia is contributing to the region's growth.

 

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

 

Food Sorting Machine Market Report Coverage

Report Attribute	Details
Forecast Period	2024 – 2030
Market Size Value in 2023	USD 2.8 billion
Revenue Forecast in 2030	USD 4.5 billion
Overall Growth Rate	CAGR of 6.9%
Base Year for Estimation	2022
Historical Data	2017 – 2021
Unit	USD Billion, CAGR (2024 - 2030)
Segmentation	By Technology, By Food Type, By End-User, By 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
Country Scope	US, Canada, Germany, UK, France, China, Japan, India, etc.
Key Market Drivers	Increasing focus on food safety and quality, advancements in sorting technologies, and rising demand for processed and packaged foods.
Major Players	TOMRA Systems ASA, Bühler Group, Satake Corporation, Key Technology, GREEFA.
Pricing and Purchase Options	Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs.

 

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.