Rising consumption leads to positive market prospects in the beverage industry

Global machinery trade – Europe leads, China catches up

The global food and beverage industry is one of the most dynamic growth sectors and an important industrial segment in many countries. The global trade volume for food processing and packaging machinery has grown steadily, reaching a preliminary peak of €54.5 billion in 2024.

From 2015 to 2024, the cumulative international trade volume for food processing and packaging machinery – based on export data from 52 industrialised nations – totalled €448 billion, representing growth of 43 per cent over this period.

Europe remains the leader in mechanical engineering for the beverage industry

Europe continues to dominate international trade in this sector, accounting for almost 70 per cent of global trade. ‘Thanks to its high degree of specialisation, performance and innovation, the food processing and packaging machinery industry is the most successful export sector within the European machinery industry,’ says Richard Clemens, Managing Director of the VDMA Food and Packaging Machinery Association. Italy and Germany lead the list of the most important export nations, each accounting for 20 per cent of global trade.

Germany well ahead in beverage packaging machinery and brewery machinery

Germany has a particularly strong position in several sub-sectors: in 2024, one in three beverage packaging machines and one in two brewery machines traded worldwide came from Germany. With an average export share of 84 per cent, the food and packaging machinery industry is one of the most export-intensive sectors of German mechanical engineering. In the first quarter of 2025, exports rose by 3.4 per cent compared to the already high level of the previous year. More than half of these exports went to countries outside Europe.

For many years, the United States has been by far the most important market for German manufacturers of food processing and packaging machines. In 2024, Germany exported machines worth 1.8 billion euros to the US, an increase of 7 per cent over the previous year.

China remains one of the most important markets for German engineering companies, but fell behind France to third place in 2024. German exports to the People's Republic fell by 26 per cent to €448 million in 2023 and stagnated at this level in 2024. In addition to the continuing economic weakness, China's ‘buy local’ policy also had a noticeable impact.

European markets, which account for 47 per cent of German exports, remained robust and grew by a total of 4.3 per cent in 2024. Strong growth momentum – often in the double-digit range – came from almost 40 non-European markets, including Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Angola and Nigeria. ‘Our industry is globally diversified, which basically guarantees good market opportunities,’ Clemens summarised.

Uncertainty regarding the US market

For many years, the United States has been by far the most important market for German manufacturers of food processing and packaging machinery. In 2024, Germany exported machinery worth €1.8 billion to the US, representing an increase of 7 per cent over the previous year.

However, according to a recent survey by the VDMA, a clear majority of mechanical engineering companies report growing uncertainty about the US market: 87 per cent have business relationships with the US, two-thirds of which operate their own local sales offices.

‘We hope that the negotiations with the EU Commission will bear fruit. High tariffs – or worse, a trade war with the European Union – would ultimately mean losses for everyone,’ said Clemens.

Despite the tariff concerns, he expects many visitors from the US market at drinktec 2025. ‘With over 1.5 million employees, the US food industry is the country's largest manufacturing sector. Automation and capacity expansion are important drivers for investment. American companies cannot meet their technological needs domestically,’ said Clemens, referring to EU imports of food processing and packaging machinery, which amounted to €5 billion in 2024.

China is the third-largest exporter of food processing and packaging machinery

China has significantly expanded its presence in recent years and is now the third-largest exporter of food processing and packaging machinery, accounting for 12 per cent of global trade. Chinese exports have almost doubled in five years – from €3.5 billion in 2020 to €6.6 billion in 2024 – and primarily serve the Asian and African markets. However, Chinese companies are increasingly turning their attention to the global market. ‘Many Chinese companies exhibit at drinktec to tap into further market potential via this highly international platform,’ says Clemens.

Global demand for beverages and product diversity are rising, ensuring positive market prospects

The outlook for technology providers remains positive as the global beverage industry continues to grow. According to Euromonitor International, around 1.1 trillion litres of bottled beverages were sold worldwide in 2024. The British market research company forecasts a further increase of around 14 per cent by 2028.

Euromonitor expects continued double-digit growth in regions such as Africa/Middle East and Asia-Pacific, while beverage consumption in saturated markets will grow only moderately. In these regions, the focus is shifting to qualitative growth and product innovation.

According to Euromonitor, around 7,000 new non-alcoholic beverage products were launched worldwide in 2024, alongside almost 6,300 new alcoholic beverages. Most of these innovations were introduced in the USA, Canada and European markets.

Conclusion

Shortly before drinktec 2025, the industry is in robust shape: Europe remains the undisputed driving force behind international mechanical engineering in the food and packaging machinery segment, Germany is maintaining its leading role in key areas, and despite geopolitical uncertainties, dynamic growth markets in Asia, Africa and Latin America are opening up new opportunities. The global thirst for diversity and innovation ensures that demand for state-of-the-art process technology continues to rise – the best conditions for a world-leading trade fair that sets the pace for the coming years.