Food Robotics Global Market Report 2024

The food robotics market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $2.28 billion in 2023 to $2.58 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.0%. The expansion observed in the historical period can be ascribed to a shortage of labor, a surge in consumer demand, the enforcement of strict food safety regulations, escalating production costs, and the globalization of the food supply chain.

The food robotics market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $4.03 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.9%. The anticipated expansion during the forecast period is a result of the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI), the prevalence of e-commerce and direct-to-consumer trends, the increasing presence of robotics in the food service industry, a heightened emphasis on hygienic design, and a growing demand for customization and personalization. Key trends expected in the forecast period encompass collaborative robotics (cobots), swift technological progress, innovations in robotics technology, the incorporation of blockchain to enhance transparency, and a surge in sustainability-driven initiatives.

The significant increase in the consumption of processed food is a key driver for the growth of the food robotics market. Processed food refers to food items that undergo treatment or alteration during preparation to extend their preservation. In food processing, robots play a crucial role in automating various steps and maintaining the sanitation of processing premises to meet hygiene standards. As an illustration, a report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics in March 2022 highlighted that in Australia, 14.7 million tons of non-alcoholic beverages and food were consumed during 2020-2021, showing a 1.4% increase from 2019-2020 and a 4.9% increase from 2018-2019. This rise in the consumption of processed food is anticipated to be a driving factor for the food robotics market.

The expansion of the food service industry is expected to be a significant catalyst for the continued growth of the food robotics market. The food service industry encompasses businesses engaged in the preparation, distribution, and sale of food and beverages to consumers. Food robotics is utilized in this industry to improve operational efficiency, lower labor costs, and ensure consistency in food preparation, aligning with the contemporary demands for speed, precision, and hygiene in dining establishments. For example, a USA Today article in August 2023 reported that the U.S. restaurant industry achieved $898 billion in sales in 2022, marking a $166.5 billion increase from 2021. Consequently, the expanding food service industry is a driving force behind the growth of the food robotics market.

A prominent trend gaining traction in the food robotics market is product innovation. Leading companies in this market are concentrating on devising novel ways to incorporate robotics into food production, aiming to meet strict sanitation regulations and enhance productivity. For example, in July 2023, Chef Robotics, a U.S.-based company specializing in flexible robotics and machine learning solutions for the food industry, introduced an AI-enabled Robotic Solution. Diverging from traditional depositors, Chef mimics the adaptability of human pick-and-place motions. Leveraging AI, Chef Systems can identify optimal picking points within a pan of food and container locations. With interchangeable utensils and AI capabilities, Chef achieves human-such as flexibility, excelling in picking various 'scoopable' ingredients, maintaining consistency, accommodating different portion sizes, precise component placement, adaptability to diverse tray types, and compatibility with nearly all conveyors. In essence, Chef offers a system equivalent to human capabilities.

Major players in the food robotics market are embracing a strategic partnership approach for utilizing sidewalk delivery robots in food deliveries. Strategic partnerships involve companies leveraging each other's strengths and resources for mutual benefits and success. For instance, in December 2022, Uber Eats, a U.S.-based online food ordering and delivery platform, collaborated with Cartken, a U.S.-based robotics company, to reduce traffic congestion, enhance local merchants' delivery capacity, and offer fast, convenient, and emission-free deliveries. Cartken's AI-powered sidewalk delivery robots are designed for neighborhood food and grocery delivery, campus meal delivery, and curbside pickup.

In February 2021, DoorDash Inc., a U.S.-based online food delivery company, acquired Chowbotics for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition enabled DoorDash to support eateries using its delivery platform in diversifying their menus. Chowbotics, a U.S.-based food robotics company, specializes in creating robots for crafting customizable salads.

Major companies operating in the food robotics market report are Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Midea Group, Denso Corporation, ABB Group, Flexicell Inc., Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., Rockwell Automation Inc., OMRON Corporation, Swisslog Holding AG, Fanuc Corporation, Yasakawa Electric Corporation, KUKA AG, Nachi-Fujikoshi Corporation, Staubli International AG, Bastian Solutions LLC., Schunk GmbH, Universal Robots AS, Omron Adept Technologies, Epson India Pvt Ltd., Mayekawa Mfg. Co. Ltd., Fetch Robotics Inc., Aethon Inc., Picnic Technologies B.V., Zume Inc., IAM Robotics, Xook, Blendid, RightHand Robotics Inc., Asic Robotics AG, Bobacino.

North America was the largest region in the food robotics market in 2023. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the food robotics market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the food robotics market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Various types of robots are employed in food robotics, such as articulated, cartesian, SCARA, parallel, cylindrical, collaborative, and others. Articulated robots, characterized by rotary joints, play a crucial role in the food industry, mitigating the risk of contamination and ensuring controlled work environments. These robots are adaptable for low, medium, and high payload tasks, serving purposes such as palletizing, packaging, repackaging, pick-and-place operations, processing, and more. The end users benefiting from these robotic applications span across industries such as beverages, meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, bakery, fruits and vegetables, confectionery, and others.

The food robotics research report is one of a series of new reports that provides food robotics market statistics, including the food robotics industry's global market size, regional shares, competitors with an food robotics market share, detailed food robotics market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the food robotics industry. This food robotics market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The food robotics market consists of sales of vision-guided sorting robots and robotic dispensing arms. 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.