Infrared Drying for Foods Market Report 2026

The infrared drying for foods market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.11 billion in 2025 to $1.21 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to high energy consumption of conventional drying methods, increasing demand for processed foods, adoption of industrial drying equipment, growing awareness of food quality preservation, expansion of food processing industries in the Asia-Pacific.

The infrared drying for foods market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.74 billion by 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising focus on energy-efficient and sustainable drying technologies, increasing investment in smart food processing equipment, demand for higher throughput continuous drying systems, adoption of ai and automation in drying processes, expansion of infrared drying applications to new food segments. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of infrared drying technology in food processing, rising demand for energy-efficient drying solutions, expansion of infrared drying applications across fruits, vegetables, and grains, growing focus on retaining nutritional value and product quality, integration of automated and continuous drying systems.

The rising demand for processed foods is anticipated to drive the growth of the infrared drying for foods market in the coming years. Processed foods are those that have been modified from their natural form to improve shelf life, safety, or convenience, including ready-to-eat meals, snacks, and beverage products. The surge in processed food demand is mainly due to evolving consumer lifestyles and busy schedules that favor convenient, ready-to-consume options. Infrared drying for foods supports this trend by allowing faster, energy-efficient moisture removal, enhancing product quality, extending shelf life, and improving overall production efficiency. For example, in July 2025, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), a Canada-based government department for agriculture and food-related products, reported that processed food and beverage exports from Canada reached $59.8 billion in 2024, marking a 3.8% increase compared to 2023. Consequently, the rising demand for processed foods is driving the expansion of the infrared drying for foods market.

The growing awareness of food waste reduction is expected to propel the growth of the infrared drying for foods market going forward. Awareness of food waste reduction refers to understanding the importance of minimizing food loss and waste across production, distribution, and consumption to enhance sustainability and resource efficiency. This awareness is mainly driven by rising food insecurity, as more individuals and organizations recognize the need to conserve food for those facing shortages. Infrared drying for foods helps minimize food waste by rapidly removing moisture, extending shelf life, and preserving the nutritional value of perishable products. For example, in July 2025, the National Environment Agency, a Singapore-based statutory board, reported that food waste generation increased from 2023 to 784,000 tons in 2024, while the recycling rate remained at 18%. Therefore, growing awareness of food waste reduction is driving the expansion of the infrared drying for foods market.

The increasing focus on sustainability and environmental concerns is anticipated to drive the growth of the infrared drying for foods market going forward. Sustainability and environmental concerns refer to efforts to use natural resources responsibly and reduce environmental impact, such as promoting natural and organic products, to maintain ecological balance and long-term well-being. This focus is primarily driven by heightened awareness of climate change, as individuals, businesses, and governments acknowledge the need to adopt eco-friendly practices and minimize environmental harm. Infrared drying for foods addresses these concerns by lowering energy consumption, reducing food waste, and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional drying methods. For instance, in November 2025, the Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water, an Australia-based government agency, noted that the Australian Parliament passed reforms to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, strengthening national environmental protection standards. These reforms established clearer, legally enforceable rules for development approvals and biodiversity conservation, ensuring economic activities align with long-term environmental sustainability goals. Therefore, the increasing focus on sustainability and environmental concerns is driving the growth of the infrared drying for foods market.

Major companies operating in the infrared drying for foods market are GEA Group AG, Bühler Group, Heat and Control Inc., Glenro Inc., Kerone Engineering Solutions Ltd., Craftolite Solutions Private Limited, Heat One Technology, Genex Tech Industries LLP, Pratham Engineering, Tsung Hsing Food Machinery Co Ltd, Indofab Industries, Infrared Heating Technologies LLC, Infron Heating Solutions Private Limited, Püschner GmbH + Co. KG, Technovative Systems Private Limited, Umrao Automation Pvt. Ltd., Kreyenborg Gmbh And Co. KG, Maan Global Industries Pvt. Ltd, Preetha Enterprises, TOE ENGINEERING PROJECTS PVT.LTD.

North America was the largest region in the infrared drying for foods market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the infrared drying for foods market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the infrared drying for foods market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The infrared drying for the food market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as food dehydration and preservation, customized drying solutions, installation and maintenance of infrared drying equipment, pilot-scale testing and trials, and quality control and monitoring services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The infrared drying for the food market also includes sales of infrared food dryers, infrared fruit and vegetable dryers, infrared grain dryers, and infrared seafood dryers. 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.

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