As global demand for poultry meat and eggs continues to climb, producers are turning to advanced processing technologies to improve efficiency, product quality, and profitability. With tight margins across modern farming, every opportunity to reduce waste, boost yields, and streamline operations counts—and machinery manufacturers are responding with innovations that promise to redefine poultry and egg processing.
The global poultry processing equipment market is on a growth trajectory, projected to reach $7.7 billion by 2034, up from $4.45 billion in 2024, according to Precedence Research. Rising production and consumption of poultry, coupled with the growing popularity of ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat products such as nuggets, patties, and value-added chicken items, are driving demand for cutting-edge processing solutions. Automated systems not only improve throughput and yield but also help producers maintain stringent food safety standards, reduce labour dependency, and manage costs amid wage inflation.
Modern poultry processing goes far beyond basic slaughtering and plucking. From marination, tumbling, and massaging to precise portioning, machinery must handle complex processes while adhering to food safety and labelling regulations. Ongoing technological advancements—spanning robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT)—are enabling fully automated production lines for scalding, evisceration, chilling, cutting, and de-boning. These innovations are ushering the industry into the next stage of Industry 4.0, where real-time data, precision control, and predictive analytics optimize every step of production.
AI is at the forefront of this transformation. Sanovo’s Farm Intelligence Unit, launched in October 2025, exemplifies how AI is revolutionizing egg production. Capable of processing up to 72,000 eggs per hour, the system uses advanced vision technology to detect defects such as cracks, leaks, dirt, and size variations long before eggs reach grading stages. This early detection improves flock health management, product quality, and overall profitability while reducing labour requirements and maintaining cleaner packing lines.
Similarly, AI vision systems are enhancing poultry meat processing. Meyn’s Multi Vision Quality Grading System employs four camera tubes with non-flashing LED lights to provide 360-degree imaging, detecting defects such as empty shackles, broken wings, bruises, and skin flaws with high accuracy. Baader’s ClassifEYE system uses AI to capture high-resolution images at critical points along the production line, analysing them in real time to detect anomalies and quality defects. Processors receive instant feedback via intuitive dashboards, allowing immediate corrective action. These systems are scalable, flexible, and secure, enabling gradual expansion as operations grow.
Egg processing is also being reshaped by AI and machine learning. Moba’s Vision Weighing system, launched in September 2025, determines egg weight with exceptional precision without contact or moving parts. Paired with the company’s AI-based Vision Shell Inspector, the system detects cracks invisible to the human eye, simplifying maintenance, reducing labour dependency, and boosting margins for egg producers.
Intelligent machinery extends to human-machine interfaces (HMI) as well. Marel’s Nuova-i and VC-i evisceration systems integrate control, automatic adjustments, performance monitoring, and connectivity into a single platform. Operators can select “recipes” for different flock types, allowing machines to adjust height, guides, and processing parameters automatically, ensuring consistent quality across diverse production batches with minimal training.
Convenience trends are also reshaping the egg processing market. The growing popularity of ready-to-eat and value-added egg products is driving demand for automated processing solutions. The global egg processing market is projected to grow from $29.3 billion in 2024 to $34.9 billion by 2029, fueled by sustainable production practices, customised product solutions, government nutrition initiatives, and expanding direct-to-consumer and online retail channels. Companies like Noble Foods and Griffiths Family Foods are leading the way in value-added egg products, creating further demand for innovative processing machinery.
Across both poultry and egg production, the message is clear: automation, AI, and intelligent processing solutions are no longer optional—they are essential for efficiency, product quality, and competitiveness. For producers, the opportunity to integrate these technologies represents not just a cost-saving measure, but a strategic advantage in an increasingly demanding and complex global market.
