Fruit Sorting Equipment Market - Forecast (2023-2030)

The main factors driving the market's expansion the increasing demand for high-quality and consistent fruits, the need for more efficient and automated sorting solutions, and growing concerns over food safety and waste reduction.

Report Coverage:

The report “Fruit Sorting Equipment Market – Forecast (2023-2030)”, by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments of the Fruit Sorting Equipment market.

By Machine Type: Sorters, Soil and Sand Separator and Others

By Technology: Automatic, Manual

By Fruit Type: Fresh Fruit, Frozen Fruit and Whole and Processed Fruit

By Fruit: Mangoes, Apples, Oranges, Blueberries, Cherries, Peaches, Pears and Others

By Application: Fruit Planting Base, Fruit Processing Plant and Fruit Processing Company

By Geography:  North America, South America, Europe, APAC, and Middle East & Africa.

Key Takeaways:

·       Europe held the largest market share with 33% in 2022. It is driven by technological advancements and a growing emphasis on efficiency in fruit processing. With increasing demand for high-quality and uniform fruits, the adoption of advanced sorting equipment has surged. European nations prioritize sustainable farming practices, influencing the integration of eco-friendly sorting technologies.

·       Fruit Processing has a wide application of fruit sorting equipment, and it is witnessing a significant growth in the market owing to the rise in use of optical sorters, fruit grading machines and others for sorting purposes. The increasing use of fruit sorting equipment for fruit processing is due to the cost effectiveness and efficiency of the equipment which is boosting the market growth.

·       Surge in adoption of new machine vision automated sorting technologies for fruit processing in various fruit processing plants are driving the growth of the market. Furthermore, Surge in the adoption of fruits sorting equipment in the agricultural processes for post-harvest operations such as pre-cooling of the produced fruits to remove field heat, post-harvest treatments and packaging of fruits are the factors projected to propel significant growth of the market.

By Machine Type - Segment Analysis

Sorters dominated the Fruit Sorting Equipment market in 2022. In June 2022, Sunkist Research and Technical Services launched a next-generation citrus fruit sorter. The new sorter evaluates the inherent quality of each component it processes, including any potential flaws, using Google AI technology thereby rising demand for fruit sorting equipment market. The most recent version of Sorma's vision software, InstanDefect-AI, is totally based on AI and deep learning algorithms and offers previously unheard-of fruit calyx/peduncle grading along with outstanding exterior and maturity flaw identification. The inventions are made to address demands for automation, speed, and quality standardization in fruit processing as a result rising demand for fruit sorting equipment market. According to Food and Agriculture Organization food waste must be reduced since by 2050, the demand for food is expected to increase by 59% to 98%. Though some of them are harmed, more than 30% of fruits and vegetables are wasted during processing, which raises the need for fruit sorting machinery.

By Application - Segment Analysis

Fruit Processing Plant dominated the Fruit Sorting Equipment market in 2022. The integration of fruit sorting equipment in fruit processing plants has become essential for efficient and cost-effective production. Sorting equipment helps in reducing the amount of waste and improving the quality of the end product, which is critical for maintaining profitability in the fruit processing industry. The growth of fruit processing plants and fruit sorting equipment is closely linked to the growth of the fruit industry. According to Northeastern University’s Network Science Institute 2023, 73% of US food supply consists of ultra-processed foods. As the demand for fresh fruits and processed fruit products continues to increase worldwide, the fruit processing plant and fruit sorting equipment markets are expected to grow. As consumer preferences shift towards convenient and ready-to-eat foods, the demand for processed fruit products such as juices, jams, and frozen fruits has been on the rise.

By Geography - Segment Analysis

Europe Fruit Sorting Equipment market generated a revenue of $174 million in 2023 and is projected to reach a revenue of $281.6 million by 2030 growing at a CAGR of 6.1% during 2023-2030. The Europe Fruit Sorting Equipment market is projected to experience significant growth during the forecast period. It is driven by technological advancements and a growing emphasis on efficiency in fruit processing. With increasing demand for high-quality and uniform fruits, the adoption of advanced sorting equipment has surged. European nations prioritize sustainable farming practices, influencing the integration of eco-friendly sorting technologies. In 2022, Italian packing and grading technology company Futura has partnered with Almeria-based company Alsi to open new opportunities and build a bigger commercial presence in southern Spain. The company sells electronic sorting and grading machines in the Spanish market only through distributors. The companies plan to target producers of summer and tropical fruits like avocados, mangoes and dragon fruit, peaches, nectarines, apricots, flat peaches and apples. Major players in the region are focusing on product innovation and strategic collaborations to capitalize on this burgeoning market. The dynamic landscape of the Fruit Sorting Equipment Market in Europe reflects a convergence of technological excellence and sustainability, poised to reshape the future of fruit processing across the continent.

Drivers – Fruit Sorting Equipment Market:

·       Growth in consumption of well-packaged fruits along with rise in fruit juice consumption

Consumers prefer well-packaged fruits and fruit juices because they offer convenience. Packaged fruits and juices are easy to store, transport, and consume, making them a popular choice for busy consumers. Packaged fruits and juices have a longer shelf life compared to fresh fruits, making them a popular choice for consumers who want to enjoy fruits all year round. According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the safety and labeling of packaged fruits sold in the U.S. The FDA sets standards for things like packaging materials, nutrition labeling, and food additives to ensure that packaged fruits are safe and accurately labeled for consumers.

The development of innovative packaging technology, such as aseptic packaging, has improved the shelf life of packaged fruits and juices. This has increased the demand for well-packaged fruits and juices, leading to growth in the Fruit Processing Market. Consumers are becoming more health-conscious and are aware of the benefits of consuming fruits and fruit juices. This has increased the demand for well-packaged fruits and juices. Furthermore, Consumers are increasingly seeking natural and organic products, and this trend has extended to the Fruit Processing Market. The use of natural ingredients and preservatives has become more common, and manufacturers are responding to the demand by developing natural and organic fruit products. Urbanization and changing lifestyles have led to a shift in consumer preferences towards convenience and packaged food products. This has led to growth in the Fruit Processing Market.

Rising focus towards eco-friendly practices and waste management

Governments around the world are imposing stricter environmental regulations on businesses, including those in the agriculture and food industries. This is encouraging manufacturers of Fruit Sorting Equipment to adopt more eco- friendly practices and invest in waste management technologies. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)in 2022, the food that is lost and wasted could feed 1.26 billion hungry people every year. Consumers are becoming more aware of the environmental impact of their purchasing decisions and are increasingly seeking out products and services that are produced sustainably. This is driving demand for eco-friendly Fruit Sorting Equipment and waste management solutions.

Eco-friendly practices and waste management solutions can help reduce costs for Fruit Sorting Equipment manufacturers by improving energy efficiency, reducing waste disposal costs, and improving supply chain sustainability. Companies that adopt sustainable practices and invest in waste management technologies can improve their brand image and reputation among consumers, investors, and other stakeholders. Furthermore, the development of new technologies is driving innovation in the Fruit Sorting Equipment market, including the adoption of eco-friendly and waste reduction practices. For example, advances in automation and artificial intelligence are enabling more precise sorting and reducing the amount of waste generated during the process.

Challenges – Fruit Sorting Equipment Market:

High Cost associated with equipment

Fruit sorting equipment relies on advanced technology such as sensors, cameras, and software to sort fruits accurately. The development and integration of this technology can be expensive, leading to high equipment costs. It needs to be customized based on the specific requirements of different fruits and vegetables. This customization can increase the cost of equipment significantly. Fruit sorting equipment requires regular maintenance to ensure accurate sorting and prevent breakdowns. The cost of maintenance and repair can be high, especially for complex equipment and requires a significant capital investment, which can be a barrier to entry for small and medium-sized producers.

As demand for high-quality fruits and vegetables continues to grow, producers may be willing to invest in equipment that can help them meet this demand. This can improve the efficiency of sorting processes, leading to higher yields and reduced labor costs. These efficiency gains can offset the high initial cost of equipment. However, Fruit sorting equipment can improve the quality and safety of fruits and vegetables by removing contaminants, sorting out damaged produce, and ensuring that the final product meets food safety standards. This can reduce the risk of recalls, improve brand reputation, and increase customer satisfaction.

Market Landscape

Technology launches, acquisitions, and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the Fruit Sorting Equipment market. in 2022, The major players in the Fruit Sorting Equipment market are MAF Roda Agrobotic, ATS (CFT S.p.A), Bühler AG, JBT Corporation, Unitec S.p.A, Jiangxi Reemon Technology Holdings Co. Ltd, Aweta, Shibuya Seiki, Duravant, Others.

Developments:

Ø  In September 2022, TOMRA AND IOCEL S.r.l entered into a partnership to strengthen and simplify customer support for Fruit Packers. The new agreement places ICOEL as an integrated partner of TOMRA Food for the application of cherries in Latin America and as its commercial partner for Europe.

Ø  In April 2023, Bühler India launched its optical sorter manufacturing facility in Bengaluru. The facility will also host all applicable spare parts, and new services for customers in a fast-track process.

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