Fish processing machines are specialised devices designed to operate in demanding conditions — humid, cold, and exposed to salt and organic waste. Their role is to process raw fish into products such as fillets, portions, cubes, frozen products, or fish mass in an efficient and hygienic way.
Modern fish processing uses both standalone machines and complete processing lines. Depending on the plant’s needs, these may include equipment for transport and sorting, gutting, skinning, filleting, portioning, thermal processing, and packaging. Meat recovery and by-product handling systems are also becoming increasingly important.
Manufacturers design fish processing equipment to support:
- high raw material utilisation,
- easy cleaning and disinfection,
- lower waste and more efficient use of utilities such as water and electricity,
- reduced manual handling.
Machine selection in fish processing plants increasingly includes automation and quality control. Sensors, weighing systems, and vision systems can support the control of size, weight, and cutting accuracy, helping improve process consistency and reduce manual inspection.
The fish processing equipment market — current state and trends
According to market analyses published in reports by The Business Research Company, the global fish processing market reached a value of approx. 225 billion USD in 2025. It will grow steadily in the coming years along with the rising global demand for fish products. Studies show that this sector’s development is directly tied to rising seafood consumption and dynamic aquaculture growth, which ensure stable raw material supplies for the processing industry. Industry forecasts assume aquaculture production may increase to about 106 million tons by 2030, further increasing demand for raw material processing and technologies used in fish processing plants.
Europe remains an important market for manufacturers of fish processing technology. Its position is supported by strong fish production and processing industries in countries such as Norway, Spain, Poland, and Denmark, as well as steady demand for processed and ready-to-eat fish products.
As the market develops, demand for modern fish processing machines and complete plant equipment continues to grow. Several practical trends can be seen in fish processing plants today:
- Automation and reduced manual labour — many plants are investing in lines that reduce manual handling. This is driven by rising labour costs and difficulties in finding qualified workers.
- Yield optimisation — with limited raw material availability, even small improvements in raw material utilisation can affect production economics. Modern fish processing equipment can support more precise separation of meat from bones and skin, helping reduce losses and improve output consistency.
- Hygiene and easy cleaning — sanitation requirements in Europe increase the importance of equipment that is easy to clean and disinfect. Manufacturers therefore focus on designs that help limit contamination build-up in hard-to-clean areas.
- Complete lines instead of single machines —more plants are choosing complete fish processing lines that cover the process from raw material intake to packaging. Such solutions can improve process control and material flow across the plant.
New and used fish processing equipment from ERY Food Machinery
ERY offers both new and used fish processing machines for small, medium, and large plants. The range includes standalone equipment and complete fish processing lines. It covers machines from recognised manufacturers for different stages of the processing process.
Production and preliminary processing machines
Fish filleting machines are among the key devices used in modern fish processing. They influence production efficiency, cutting consistency, and the quality of the semi-finished product. Precise separation of meat from bones can improve utilisation of raw materials and reduce waste. Modern equipment also offers parameter adjustment for different fish species and processing requirements.
At ERY Food Machinery, we offer both new and used fish filleting machines for small, medium, and large plants. Available models include equipment for white fish and salmon, machines with different hourly capacities, and solutions designed for automated lines. These machines can be used in various processing environments, depending on the raw material and production setup.
Processing and portioning lines
ERY also delivers complete production lines for fish processing, including:
- portioning systems,
- deboning lines,
- forming equipment for breaded products,
- internal transport systems,
- industrial slicers for fish and fish products,
- meat-bone separators,
- metal detectors for food quality and safety control,
- thermal processing equipment such as cooking, smoking, and frying machines.
These solutions can be combined into a connected processing system covering multiple stages of fish production.
Packaging machines in fish processing
ERY Food Machinery’s range also includes packaging machines for fish processing, which are an important part of the final production stage. Properly selected equipment helps protect the product, extend shelf life, and prepare it for domestic or export distribution.
This category includes vacuum packers that provide a tight seal and help protect product freshness, as well as other end-of-line equipment used in fish processing plants. Packaging machines support product presentation, shelf life, and production organisation, while helping meet retail and distribution requirements. Our range includes clipping machines, tray sealers, thermoformers, scales, and labellers.
The offered fish processing machines can operate as standalone stations or as part of a larger technological line.
When to choose new and when to choose used fish processing machines?
Choosing between a new and a used machine depends on several factors. These include investment budget, planned production scale, delivery time, model availability, and compatibility with the existing technological line. Different solutions may be suitable for a small processing plant and for a large facility operating continuously.
New fish processing machines offer greater configuration flexibility and come with a manufacturer’s warranty. They are often selected for new plants, line expansions, and larger investment projects.
Used fish plant machines are often chosen by companies that want to increase production capacity in a shorter time. A properly inspected and refurbished machine can remain a practical production solution, depending on its technical condition and intended use.
ERY supports customers in selecting equipment suited to their technical requirements and investment plans. Used machines are offered after technical inspection and, where applicable, refurbishment, with attention to their condition and further use in demanding processing environments.
Fish processing equipment buyback from ERY Food Machinery
ERY also buys used machines and complete technological lines. We purchase, among others:
- single fish processing machines,
- complete fish processing lines,
- components of fish plant equipment.
The buyback process may include valuation, payment, dismantling if required, and pickup from the customer’s facility. This allows companies to recover part of the capital tied up in unused machinery and reallocate it to further development. The process is organised to keep the sale and collection of equipment clear and efficient.
FAQ
A typical fish processing plant may use machines for transport and sorting, heading, gutting, filleting, metal detection, and packaging. Depending on the production profile, separators as well as forming and thermal processing equipment may also be needed.
Fish processing lines are integrated systems in which conveyors and automation connect subsequent production stages. Single machines operate independently and usually require separate product transfer, though this can be partially or fully automated.
Used fish processing machines can be a safe and practical alternative to new equipment when their technical condition has been properly verified. When choosing a specific model, it is worth checking the seller, inspection scope, refurbishment status, and the machine’s intended use. Used equipment can be safely operated provided it is technically suitable for the process and used in accordance with its intended purpose.
Choosing fish processing equipment usually starts with analysing the raw material type, planned capacity, and the final product. Based on this, it is easier to determine which machines fit the technological process. Key factors include fish species, machine application, required capacity, utility consumption, ease of cleaning, and the availability of spare parts and service. Budget, delivery time, and plans for future expansion should also be considered. ERY Food Machinery supports customers in matching equipment to their production profile, technical requirements, and investment timeline.
Machines should be matched primarily to planned production capacity, the type of raw material, and available plant space. Smaller plants often seek compact, versatile solutions, while larger facilities often require equipment designed for higher volumes and continuous operation. It is also worth considering future expansion and whether the line should allow for further capacity growth.
Yes, fish processing lines can be expanded gradually. Many companies start with simpler or partly manual processes and invest in further automation as production volume grows. This approach helps match the pace of investment to current needs and available budget, while leaving room for future line development.
Complete fish processing plant equipment includes machines and systems used across the full production process — from raw material intake and primary processing to packaging and waste handling. Depending on the plant profile, this may include heading, filleting, deboning, slicing, portioning, packaging, thermal processing, and internal transport systems. Additional equipment, such as graders, loading columns, or separators, may also support production continuity and plant organisation.
Planning should start with an analysis of the full production process — from raw material intake through processing to packaging. The key factors are raw material type, target product, required capacity, hygiene requirements, ease of cleaning, and utility use. It is also worth considering future expansion, so the selected machines or line can be developed as production grows.
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