The South America automated storage and retrieval systems market size was valued at USD 604.58 million in 2025 and estimated to grow from USD 650.43 million in 2026 to reach USD 927.91 million by 2031, at a CAGR of 7.36% during the forecast period (2026-2031). This report is segmented by Product Type (Fixed-Aisle Crane Systems, Shuttle-Based Systems, and More), Load Type (Unit Loads, Pallet Load Shuttles, Mid Loads, and More), Application (Kitting and Sequencing, Cold Storage and Deep-Freeze Handling, and More), End-User Industry (Manufacturing, and More), and Geography. The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).
Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:
Havan allocated BRL 150 million (USD 25.7 million) using the stated 2025 annual average exchange rate to a new stacker crane in its Barra Velha distribution center expansion. The project forms part of a BRL 250 million (USD 42.8 million) investment, based on the stated 2025 annual average exchange rate, and is planned to increase the facility's built area to 250,000 m². Vertical Lift Modules and Carousel Modules remain relevant for point-of-use picking in pharmaceutical, electronics, and spare-parts operations. Cube-based robotic storage is still at an early stage in the region, but it is gaining attention in fashion and pharmaceutical fulfillment. Stara opened an agricultural-parts distribution center with an AutoStore system in Goiás during June 2026, showing that these formats are moving into agribusiness supply chains. The South America automated storage and retrieval systems industry can therefore retain demand for cranes while expanding the use of modular robotic systems.
Unit Loads accounted for 33.28% of revenue in 2025, representing the largest share of the South America automated storage and retrieval systems market by load type. Manufacturing and food distribution commonly move pallets from receiving to storage and then to dispatch. Pallet-level automation is especially useful in cold storage, where manual handling at temperatures below -20 °C poses operational challenges. Mini Loads are projected to grow at a 7.94% CAGR from 2026 to 2031. This format supports carton and tote retrieval for e-commerce operations that carry broad product assortments. It also helps operators improve storage accuracy and shorten picking cycles without relying on full-pallet movements.
Pallet Load Shuttles are increasingly used in food and beverage facilities where rapid pallet rotation supports continuous production lines. Mid Loads support automotive suppliers that need sub-pallet component sequencing for assembly operations. Totes, Cartons, and Others serve pharmaceutical distributors with high-mix, low-volume requirements. Hai Robotics installed its HaiPick System 3 solution at RD Saúde's Viana distribution center, which has more than 62,000 double-deep storage locations. The design capacity was 1,140 totes per hour for pharmacy replenishment, which shows how tote automation can support large distribution networks.
South America Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems Market Trends and Insights
E-commerce Fulfillment Density Requirements
E-commerce has raised the throughput requirements for fulfillment centers across the South America automated storage and retrieval systems market. Mercado Libre added 125 automated sorting robots at its Cajamar facility in September 2025, with the capacity to process 105,000 items a day within a 670 m² operating area. The installation reduced order preparation time by 1 hour and extended same-day delivery cutoffs in served cities by 1 hour. Walmart Chile announced a USD 200 million automation program in July 2025, covering more than 1,400 autonomous robots, 30,000 m² of automated space, and processing capacity of 310,000 boxes a day. As online assortments expand and delivery windows narrow, goods-to-person configurations are becoming more relevant for high-volume fulfillment. This trend favors high-density retrieval systems, in which facilities need to process more orders within limited floor space.Warehouse Labor Scarcity and Wage Inflation
Warehouse labor constraints are changing the investment case for the South America automated storage and retrieval systems market. Operators increasingly view automation as a way to maintain service levels when hiring and retention are difficult. Logistics wage growth in Brazil outpaced headline inflation between 2022 and 2025, while construction and agribusiness also competed for workers. This environment shortened the expected payback period in high-throughput Brazilian sites from the former 8-12-year range to 5-7 years. Modular systems and operating-lease models could make automation more accessible to mid-sized operators. Providers with entry-level systems and reliable after-sales support can therefore address buyers who had previously been excluded by conventional project-scale requirements.High Upfront Investment and Extended Payback
High capital requirements remain a major restraint in the South America automated storage and retrieval systems market. Mid-sized mini-load systems can require substantial investment in equipment and integration before civil works begin. Financing conditions can extend payback periods, particularly where interest rates and equipment lending costs are high. Imported equipment also exposes leasing arrangements to the same currency risks that affect direct purchases. Older warehouse management or enterprise systems can materially increase project costs when they cannot connect directly with warehouse control software. Long-duration credit lines for logistics modernization can help, though larger projects remain the primary recipients of such financing.Other drivers and restraints analyzed in the detailed report include:
- Manufacturing and Distribution Network Modernization
- Cold-Chain and Temperature-Controlled Storage Expansion
- Skilled Automation Labor Shortage
Segment Analysis
Shuttle-Based Systems are projected to grow at a 7.87% CAGR through 2031, the fastest rate among product formats. Their modular and multi-depth designs suit facilities with varied stock keeping units and high order volumes. The South America automated storage and retrieval systems market size is driven by e-commerce and third-party logistics sites that require adaptable storage layouts. Fixed-Aisle Crane Systems held 29.34% of product revenue in 2025. The segment continues to serve automotive sequencing and high-bay food manufacturing, where large pallet loads and vertical storage are central operating requirements. These facilities often use storage heights of 20-40 m, which makes crane-based architectures practical for large industrial distribution sites.Havan allocated BRL 150 million (USD 25.7 million) using the stated 2025 annual average exchange rate to a new stacker crane in its Barra Velha distribution center expansion. The project forms part of a BRL 250 million (USD 42.8 million) investment, based on the stated 2025 annual average exchange rate, and is planned to increase the facility's built area to 250,000 m². Vertical Lift Modules and Carousel Modules remain relevant for point-of-use picking in pharmaceutical, electronics, and spare-parts operations. Cube-based robotic storage is still at an early stage in the region, but it is gaining attention in fashion and pharmaceutical fulfillment. Stara opened an agricultural-parts distribution center with an AutoStore system in Goiás during June 2026, showing that these formats are moving into agribusiness supply chains. The South America automated storage and retrieval systems industry can therefore retain demand for cranes while expanding the use of modular robotic systems.
Unit Loads accounted for 33.28% of revenue in 2025, representing the largest share of the South America automated storage and retrieval systems market by load type. Manufacturing and food distribution commonly move pallets from receiving to storage and then to dispatch. Pallet-level automation is especially useful in cold storage, where manual handling at temperatures below -20 °C poses operational challenges. Mini Loads are projected to grow at a 7.94% CAGR from 2026 to 2031. This format supports carton and tote retrieval for e-commerce operations that carry broad product assortments. It also helps operators improve storage accuracy and shorten picking cycles without relying on full-pallet movements.
Pallet Load Shuttles are increasingly used in food and beverage facilities where rapid pallet rotation supports continuous production lines. Mid Loads support automotive suppliers that need sub-pallet component sequencing for assembly operations. Totes, Cartons, and Others serve pharmaceutical distributors with high-mix, low-volume requirements. Hai Robotics installed its HaiPick System 3 solution at RD Saúde's Viana distribution center, which has more than 62,000 double-deep storage locations. The design capacity was 1,140 totes per hour for pharmacy replenishment, which shows how tote automation can support large distribution networks.
Complete Report Scope:
- By Product Type
- Fixed-Aisle Crane Systems
- Shuttle-Based Systems
- Vertical Lift Modules (VLMs)
- Carousel Modules (Vertical and Horizontal)
- Cube-Based/Robotic Cube Storage Systems
- By Load Type
- Unit Loads
- Pallet Load Shuttles
- Mini Loads
- Mid Loads
- Totes, Cartons, and Others
- By Application
- Storage and Buffering
- Goods-to-Person Order Picking
- Kitting and Sequencing
- Assembly and Production Support
- Cold Storage and Deep-Freeze Handling
- By End-User Industry
- Manufacturing
- Automotive
- Food and Beverages
- Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences
- Electronics and Semiconductors
- Metals and Machinery
- Non-Manufacturing
- E-commerce and Retail
- Third-Party Logistics (3PL) and Warehousing
- Airports and Baggage Handling
- Defense and Government Stores
- Manufacturing
- By Geography
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Chile
- Colombia
- Rest of South America
List of Companies Covered in this Report:
- Daifuku Co., Ltd.
- SSI SCHAEFER GMBH & CO KG
- Murata Machinery, Ltd.
- Kardex Holding AG
- KNAPP AG
- TGW Logistics Group GmbH
- Mecalux, S.A.
- System Logistics S.p.A.
- Ferretto Group S.p.A.
- Modula S.p.A.
- Hänel GmbH & Co. KG
- AutoStore Holdings Ltd.
- Exotec SAS
- Hai Robotics Co., Ltd.
- HWArobotics Co., Ltd.
- Geekplus Co., Ltd.
- BEUMER Group GmbH & Co. KG
- Swisslog Holding AG
- Vanderlande Industries B.V.
Additional Benefits:
- The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format
- 3 months of analyst support
Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION
4 MARKET LANDSCAPE
5 MARKET SIZE AND GROWTH FORECASTS (VALUE)
6 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
7 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE OUTLOOK
Companies Mentioned (Partial List)
A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes, but is not limited to:
- Daifuku Co., Ltd.
- SSI SCHAEFER GMBH & CO KG
- Murata Machinery, Ltd.
- Kardex Holding AG
- KNAPP AG
- TGW Logistics Group GmbH
- Mecalux, S.A.
- System Logistics S.p.A.
- Ferretto Group S.p.A.
- Modula S.p.A.
- Hänel GmbH & Co. KG
- AutoStore Holdings Ltd.
- Exotec SAS
- Hai Robotics Co., Ltd.
- HWArobotics Co., Ltd.
- Geekplus Co., Ltd.
- BEUMER Group GmbH & Co. KG
- Swisslog Holding AG
- Vanderlande Industries B.V.
