According to Fortune Business Insights, the North America food packaging equipment market was valued at USD 4.18 billion in 2021 and is estimated to rise to USD 4.32 billion in 2022. The market is forecast to reach USD 5.54 billion by 2029, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6% across the 2022–2029 outlook period. Notably, the market had contracted by roughly 1.6% in 2020 compared with 2019, a dip attributed to pandemic-related disruptions. 

Packaging equipment in this space is used mainly for filling, bottling, case cartooning, labeling, and palletizing operations, serving industries such as bakery, dairy, beverages, and meat and poultry processing. Rising automation, growing demand for packaged and convenience foods, and continued investment in production capacity are the central forces propelling growth.

COVID-19 Impact

The pandemic reshaped both supply and demand for food packaging equipment. Manufacturing shutdowns—particularly in meat and cold-beverage segments—disrupted output, while many food and beverage companies saw profits decline. At the same time, lockdown-driven shifts in consumer behavior boosted purchases of ready-to-eat meals, snacks, and packaged beverages, encouraging some manufacturers to expand capacity. Citing Deloitte data, the report notes that U.S. consumer spending on food and beverages rose 6.9%, up sharply from 1.7% growth the prior year, reinforcing demand for packaging equipment over the forecast horizon.

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Key Trends

A major theme identified is the shift toward sustainable packaging. Single-use plastics are increasingly being replaced by plant-cellulose-based and other eco-friendly materials, often paired with smart features like QR codes and scannable labels that let consumers access product information instantly. Packaging companies are responding with fresh investment—Mondi, for example, committed roughly USD 66.2 million toward sustainable pet food packaging. Alongside this, growing consumer interest in health and nutrition is pushing food producers toward smarter packaging formats that support ready-to-eat and nutritional product lines.

Growth Drivers and Restraints

Expansion of manufacturing capacity and improvements to supply chain resilience are cited as the leading growth drivers, as packaged food producers scale up automated production and warehousing to meet rising sales. Conversely, the market faces headwinds from ongoing supply chain disruptions and consumer sustainability pressures. Because viable large-scale substitutes for conventional plastics remain limited, manufacturers are exploring alternatives such as PVA-based, non-dissolving plastics. A Kearney survey referenced in the report found that about 48% of consumers reported greater environmental concern following the pandemic, and 55% said the experience pushed them toward eco-friendly products—trends that continue to pressure packaging material choices.

Segmentation Insights

By equipment type, filling equipment commands the largest share, driven by the need for precise, standardized food portions. Labeling equipment ranks second, benefiting from regulatory and consumer demand for detailed nutritional information. Case cartooning, bottling, and palletizing equipment round out the segment, each supported by specific demand drivers such as packaged beverages and rising automation.

By application, bakery and confectionery products lead the market, since packaging is essential to preserving freshness, quality, and hygiene for these goods. Dairy products form another significant segment, tied to steady consumption of milk, yogurt, cheese, and butter. Beverages and meat and poultry applications also contribute meaningfully, while grain, fruit, and vegetable packaging is expected to see decent growth as fresh-produce packaging trends spread.

Country Insights

The United States dominates the regional market, valued at USD 2.96 billion in 2021, aided by the strong presence of Pactiv Evergreen and rising consumption of convenience foods. Canada is expected to post solid growth as well, supported by urbanization, demand for packaged foods, and stricter food packaging regulations.

Competitive Landscape

Leading companies profiled include Pactiv Evergreen Inc., Tetra Pak, Krones AG, GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft, Amcor plc, MULTIVAC, American Packaging Corporation, I.M.A. Industria Macchine Automatiche S.P.A., nVenia LLC, and Syntegon Technology GmbH. Fortune Business Insights notes that the top four players account for approximately 46.3% of the market. Recent moves include Amcor's increased investment in ePac Flexible Packaging (September 2022), Pactiv Evergreen's acquisition of Fabri-Kal (October 2021), and IMA Group's majority stake acquisition of CDE-Packaging GmbH (September 2021), all reflecting continued consolidation and capability expansion in the sector.