According to Euromonitor estimates, the Asian baked goods market will grow this year from a value of US $ 74 billion, to almost four per cent year-on-year up to 2024. To meet this demand, bakeries and patisseries are expected to invest in technology to automate its production lines and be able to offer more innovative treats.

In the latest FHA Insider Special report “Baking industry embrace technology for transformation”, some experts have shared their views on global trends in terms of bakery equipment purchasing. The report, developed by FHA-HoReCa, a benchmark hospitality and foodservice industry supplies event in Asia, stops at the keys to the growth of this sector and the growing need to automate or update technology.

Attributing the growth to “expansion of distribution channels, manufacturing facilities, and product innovations in terms of flavors and product types in various countries”, Aileen Supriyadi, Research Analyst for Euromonitor, ensures that:

“the growth is also pushed by the growing artisanal baked goods production as consumers are demanding fresher and healthier products, including products that have no preservatives, low sugar, or lower trans-fat.”

Beyond demand, Kelvin Teo, Regional Sales Director of Swiss equipment manufacturer Rondo for Southeast Asia and Legal Representative for China, considers that the lack of workforce, hygiene requirements, the need to maintain high quality and the economy of scale brought about by increasing production levels are also parameters to be considered by bakery operators. And Gary Lim, president of the Singapore Pastry Alliance, says that chefs should not rely so much on machinery and instead work on enhancing their knowledge and skills in the production kitchen environment.

“Machines can’t totally replace humans due to certain jobs which still require a human touch. But on the other hand, it can help to increase production volume and quality, better consistency, and reduce physically labor-intensive jobs to promote company profit,” he says.