Food Extrusion Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Food Extrusion Market is projected to expand significantly, growing from USD 84.22 Billion in 2025 to USD 142.65 Billion by 2031, reflecting a CAGR of 9.18%. Food extrusion is defined as a high-capacity manufacturing method where mixed ingredients are pushed through a specific die using thermal and mechanical energy to generate products with distinct shapes, textures, and densities. This market growth is primarily fueled by the increasing worldwide requirement for shelf-stable, ready-to-eat processed foods alongside the industrial need for continuous, energy-efficient production techniques. Furthermore, the demand for texturization technologies capable of producing plant-based meat substitutes serves as a vital catalyst for the uptake of extrusion equipment.

Despite these drivers, the industry faces a major hurdle regarding the substantial initial capital investment needed to install and maintain complex extrusion systems. This financial obstacle frequently restricts market access for smaller manufacturers and hinders rapid scalability in regions sensitive to price. To demonstrate the magnitude of a key application sector, the Plant Based Foods Association reported that in 2024, the U.S. retail plant-based food market held a value of roughly $8.1 billion. This statistic emphasizes the significant economic impact of extruded goods, even as the sector grapples with the persistent challenge of elevated operational costs.

Market Drivers

The swift growth of the alternative protein and plant-based meat sector acts as a transformative force for the global food extrusion market. Producers are increasingly depending on high-moisture extrusion cooking (HMEC) to simulate the fibrous nature of animal protein, rendering this technology essential for quality enhancement and product innovation. This reliance on specialized processing is propelling market momentum, a fact supported by the sector's expanding economic scale. As noted by the Good Food Institute in their "2023 State of the Industry Report" released in May 2024, global retail sales for plant-based meat, seafood, dairy, and eggs increased by five percent to total $28.6 billion, highlighting the crucial role of advanced extrusion machinery in meeting shifting consumer preferences.

Concurrently, the rising global appetite for convenience and processed foods serves as a fundamental catalyst for industry progress. The operational flexibility of extrusion facilitates the efficient mass production of shelf-stable products such as ready-to-eat cereals and savory snacks, which are increasingly sought after due to changing lifestyles and urbanization. This trend is reflected in the financial results of major food companies; for instance, PepsiCo reported in February 2024 within its "Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2023 Earnings Release" that its Global Convenient Foods division achieved 10% organic revenue growth for the full year. Mirroring this strong demand for production capacity, the Buhler Group announced in 2024 that its Consumer Foods business unit realized a turnover increase of 24.7% during the prior year.

Market Challenges

Significant initial capital expenditures represent a primary restraint on the Global Food Extrusion Market, posing a major hurdle to entry and growth. Setting up industrial extrusion lines necessitates substantial investment, covering not just the core machinery but also essential ancillary equipment like specialized dies, dryers, and pre-conditioners needed for accurate texturization. This financial requirement is especially burdensome for small and medium-sized enterprises, which frequently lack the liquidity to manage these upfront expenses. As a result, these smaller manufacturers find it difficult to compete with established entities or scale production quickly to meet changing consumer trends, effectively slowing overall market activity in price-sensitive areas.

The consequence of these financial barriers is apparent in recent industrial trends, where investment caution has resulted in a noticeable reduction in equipment procurement. According to the VDMA Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association, incoming orders for the sector decreased by 7 percent in the first seven months of 2024 compared to the prior year. This drop in order intake highlights the reluctance among processors to commit to extensive capital projects given the high operational costs, which directly retards the momentum of the extrusion market.

Market Trends

The incorporation of upcycled food waste and by-products into extruded formulations is becoming a significant trend, driven by the industrial transition toward circular economy models. Manufacturers are increasingly utilizing extrusion technology to recover nutrient-dense side streams, such as fruit pomace and brewer's spent grains, converting them into high-value ingredients and snacks. This strategy not only contributes to food waste reduction but also supports sustainability goals established by processors and equipment suppliers. Demonstrating this industry dedication, the Buhler Group stated in its "Annual Report 2024" released in February 2025 that the company has established a strategic goal to provide solutions enabling a 50% waste reduction within its customers' value chains.

At the same time, there is a marked increase in the integration of pulses and ancient grains into extruded snacks, shifting away from conventional wheat and corn bases to enhance nutritional profiles. This trend involves using ingredients such as amaranth, chickpeas, and lentils, which deliver higher fiber and protein content while addressing gluten-free requirements. Extrusion is essential in this context as it enhances the texture and digestibility of these dense substrates, rendering them suitable for mainstream consumption. Highlighting consumer interest in these alternative ingredients, Glanbia Nutritionals noted in their "2025 Plant-Based Protein Trends" report from February 2025 that 32% of global consumers express interest in lentils as an alternative protein food ingredient.

Key Players Profiled in the Food Extrusion Market

• Akron Tool & Die Co Inc.
• Baker Perkins Ltd.
• KAHL Group
• Triott Group
• Groupe Legris Industries
• The Bonnot Company
• American Extrusion International
• Shandong Light M&E Co., Ltd.
• Doering Systems, Inc.
• Buhler Holding AG

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Food Extrusion Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Food Extrusion Market, by Food Product:

• Savory Snacks
• Breakfast Cereals
• Bread
• Flour and Starches
• Textured Protein
• Functional Ingredients & Others

Food Extrusion Market, by Extruder:

• Single Screw Extruder
• Twin Screw Extruder & Contra Twin Screw Extruders

Food Extrusion Market, by Process:

• Cold Extrusion Vs Hot Extrusion

Food Extrusion Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Food Extrusion Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.