Retort Machine Market

Retort Machine Market Size:

The global retort machine market size reached USD 1.8 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 3.1 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 5.95% during 2025-2033. The widespread adoption of the device in the food and beverage (F&B) sector, ongoing technological advancements, and the flourishing requirement for effective sterilizing and packaging facilities with enhanced storage capacity to preserve the product quality represent some of the key factors driving the market growth.

Retort Machine Market Analysis:

• Major Market Drivers: The market is primarily being driven by the rising demand for convenience and ready-to-eat (RTE) food options, rising urban population and busy lifestyles, rapid advancements in food packaging technology, and stringent regulations towards ensuring food safety. Additionally, ongoing product innovations enhance the efficiency and reliability of retort machines, thereby favoring the market growth.
• Key Market Trends: Some of the key trends in the retort machine market include the widespread adoption of automation and digitalization to improve process accuracy and productivity, the introduction of energy-efficient machines, the inclination toward flexible packaging like pouches and trays, and the flourishing consumer demand for convenience and sustainability.
• Geographical Trends: Asia Pacific is leading the retort machine market due to its rapid urbanization, increasing disposable incomes, and growing demand for convenience and packaged foods. Additionally, significant investments in food processing infrastructure and the presence of large food manufacturing industries bolster the market's growth in this region.
• Competitive Landscape: Some of the major market players in the retort machine industry include Allpax Products LLC, ALP Co. Ltd., De Lama S.p.A., Hisaka Works Ltd, JBT Corporation, Steriflow, Surdry SL, Shandong Dingtaisheng Machinery Technology Co. Ltd., and Z&P Steritech Intelligent Equipment Co. Ltd., among many others.
• Challenges and Opportunities: The market encompasses various opportunities such as the expanding demand for processed and packaged foods in emerging economies and significant innovations in sustainable packaging solutions. However, challenges persist, including high initial investment costs, the rising need for specialized technical expertise, and stringent regulatory requirement for compliance and maintaining consistent product quality. Addressing these challenges requires continuous technological advancements and strategic market expansion.

Retort Machine Market Trends:

Rising Demand for Processed and Convenience Foods

As global urban population rises and the prevalence of busy lifestyles increases, the need for RTE and shelf-stable meal also grows. Retort machines play a crucial role in producing these products with stable shelf life and compliance with food safety standards. Moreover, processed foods, altered from their natural state through cooking, preserving, or the addition of additives, are effectively sterilized and maintained in sealed containers by retort machines. This ensures an extended shelf life and maintains food safety. In 2022, the United States Department of Agriculture reported that the total value of U.S. processed food exports increased by 3 percent year-over-year to $15 billion, setting a record for the second consecutive year. Canada remains the top market with $5.9 billion exported, and Mexico is the second-largest market with $2.0 billion. Furthermore, according to the US Census Bureau, in May 2024, U.S. retail and food services sales, adjusted for seasonal variations, totaled $703.1 billion, marking a 0.1% increase from the previous month and a 2.3% rise from May 2023. Sales from March to May 2024 grew by 2.9% as compared to the same period in the previous year. Retail trade sales increased by 0.2% from April 2024 and were up 2.0% year-over-year. Nonstore retailers saw a significant 6.8% increase from last year, while food services and drinking places grew by 3.8%. The March to April 2024 change was revised to a 0.2% decrease.

Rapid Technological Advancements

Innovations in retort machine technology, such as automation and digital controls, enhance processing efficiency and accuracy. These advancements reduce human error, improve product consistency, and lower operational costs. The continuous development of more efficient and reliable machines drives market growth by attracting investments from food manufacturers. For instance, in April 2023, Surdry North America (SNA) introduced SteriNet21, FDA-approved software aimed at improving food quality control and securely recording thermal processing data. This platform enables remote access to vital sterilization process data, such as heat, temperature, and pressure within the chambers. It serves as a replacement or backup for traditional paper chart recorders, producing thorough digital documentation and minimizing the risk of compromising essential retort processing data.

Increasing Prevalence of Foodborne Diseases

The increasing prevalence of foodborne diseases drives the retort machine market toward growth as it heightens the need for stringent food safety and sterilization processes. Retort machines effectively eliminate pathogens and extend the shelf life of food products, ensuring safer consumption. This growing concern for public health and food safety regulations pushes food manufacturers to adopt advanced retort technology, enhancing their processing capabilities and compliance with safety standards, thereby fueling market growth. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in June 2023, each year, infections from major foodborne pathogens are responsible for an estimated 9.4 million illnesses, 56,000 hospitalizations, and 1,350 deaths in the United States. Moreover, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that An estimated 600 million people, nearly 1 in 10 globally, fall ill from contaminated food annually, leading to 420,000 deaths and a loss of 33 million healthy life years (DALYs). Unsafe food results in a $110 billion annual loss in productivity and medical expenses in low- and middle-income countries. Children under five bear 40% of the foodborne disease burden, with 125,000 deaths each year. Consequently, the rising occurrence of foodborne diseases is a key driver fueling the growth of the retort machine market.

Retort Machine Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the global, regional, and country levels for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on process and application.

Breakup by Process:

• Batch Sterilization
• Continuous Sterilization
   

Batch sterilization accounts for the majority of the market share

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the process. This includes batch and continuous sterilization. According to the report, batch sterilization represented the largest segment.

Batch sterilization represents the largest segment in the retort machine market growth due to its ability to provide precise control over the sterilization process, affirming uniform heat distribution and thorough microbial inactivation. This method is highly adopted for high-value, small-batch food products and sensitive packaging materials. Moreover, batch sterilization systems are highly versatile, accommodating various container types and sizes, which is crucial for manufacturers seeking flexibility in production. The ability to maintain product quality and safety while meeting stringent regulatory standards makes batch sterilization a preferred choice in the industry. For instance, in 2022, JBT introduced SuperCRssTM, an innovative enhancement to the traditional saturated steam sterilization method, featuring various reliable and labor-saving automated capabilities.

Breakup by Application:

• Dairy Product
• Meat and Seafood
• Beverage
• Cereals and Pulses
• Others
   

Meat and seafood holds the largest share of the industry

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the application have also been provided in the report. This includes dairy product, meat and seafood, beverage, cereals and pulses, and others. According to the report, meat and seafood accounted for the largest market share.

Meat and seafood lead the retort machine market growth due to their high demand for shelf-stable and safe-to-eat products. Retort machines provide effective sterilization and preservation, ensuring long shelf life and maintaining product quality. With the increasing global consumption of meat and seafood, coupled with the need for convenient, ready-to-eat meals, the adoption of retort processing in these segments is rising. Additionally, stringent food safety regulations further drive the use of retort technology in meat and seafood processing. According to Our World in Data, the global demand for meat has been increasing, with production more than tripling over the past 50 years. Currently, the world produces over 350 million tonnes of meat annually. Moreover, as per an article published on Economic Times in March 2024, a National Family Household survey revealed that the proportion of fish eaters increased from 66 per cent to 72.1 per cent between 2005-06 and 2019-21 with annual per capita fish consumption rising from 4.9 kg to 8.9 kg between 2005 and 2020. Among fish eaters, per capita consumption rose from 7.4kg to 12.3kg.

Breakup by Region:

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Indonesia
  • Others
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Others
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Others
• Middle East and Africa
   

Asia Pacific leads the market, accounting for the largest retort machine market share

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America (the United States and Canada); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, and others); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); and the Middle East and Africa. According to the report, Asia Pacific represents the largest regional market for retort machine.

Asia Pacific leads the retort machine market due to rapid urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and increasing demand for convenient, ready-to-eat foods. The region's significant investments in food processing infrastructure and the presence of large-scale food manufacturers enhance market growth. Additionally, the growing middle-class population and expanding retail sector further drive the adoption of retort machines, catering to the evolving consumer preferences for packaged and shelf-stable food products.

Competitive Landscape:

• The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the market. Detailed profiles of all major companies have also been provided. Some of the major market players in the retort machine industry include Allpax Products LLC, ALP Co. Ltd., De Lama S.p.A., Hisaka Works Ltd, JBT Corporation, Steriflow, Surdry SL, Shandong Dingtaisheng Machinery Technology Co. Ltd., and Z&P Steritech Intelligent Equipment Co. Ltd., among many others.
  
  (Please note that this is only a partial list of the key players, and the complete list is provided in the report.)
   
• The competitive analysis of the retort machine market reveals a landscape with several key players focusing on technological advancements, product innovation, and strategic partnerships. Companies compete by offering energy-efficient, automated, and user-friendly machines to cater to the evolving needs of food processing industries. Major players, such as JBT Corporation, Surdry S.A., and Allpax, invest heavily in R&D to maintain their market position. The market also sees increasing competition from regional manufacturers in Asia Pacific, leveraging cost advantages and local market insights. For instance, in November 2022, ProMach, a US-based packaging machinery company, acquired Ferlo for an undisclosed amount, bolstering its position in the processing equipment market and expanding its international footprint in the retort market. Ferlo, a Spain-based company, specializes in manufacturing retort machines, including autoclaves and pasteurizing tunnels, used for cooking and sterilizing foods, beverages, and pharmaceuticals.

Retort Machine Market News:

• In February 2024, ProMach, a global leader in processing and packaging solutions, announced the acquisition of Zanichelli Meccanica S.p.A., known as Zacmi. Based in Parma, Italy, Zacmi is renowned for its expertise in manufacturing filling, seaming, and pasteurization technology. This acquisition further expands ProMach's extensive product portfolio and solidifies its position as one of the world's largest providers of process, filling, and systems integration solutions.
• In February 2024, Amcor, in collaboration with Stonyfield Organic, the leading organic yogurt producer in the U.S., and Cheer Pack North America, a major spouted pouch packaging manufacturer, is set to launch the market’s first all-polyethylene (PE) spouted pouch. This partnership aims to improve packaging sustainability by using 100% recyclable materials, addressing the increasing consumer demand for eco-friendly products. The new PE-spouted pouch offers an environmentally responsible alternative while maintaining the quality and convenience consumers expect from these brands.

Retort Machine Market Report Scope:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the global retort machine market performed so far, and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What are the drivers, restraints, and opportunities in the global retort machine market?
• What is the impact of each driver, restraint, and opportunity on the global retort machine market?
• What are the key regional markets?
• Which countries represent the most attractive retort machine market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the process?
• Which is the most attractive process in the retort machine market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the application?
• Which is the most attractive application in the retort machine market?
• What is the competitive structure of the market?
• Who are the key players/companies in the global retort machine market?

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the retort machine market from 2019-2033.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global retort machine market.
• The study maps the leading, as well as the fastest-growing, regional markets. It further enables stakeholders to identify the key country-level markets within each region.
• Porter's five forces analysis assists stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the retort machine industry and its attractiveness.
• The competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides insight into the current positions of key players in the market.