Machines for the ready meals sector are used to process raw materials into food products prepared for further distribution and sale. These cover RTE (ready-to-eat), RTC (ready-to-cook), and RTH (ready-to-heat) meals. Depending on the process, plants use both complete production lines and standalone machines for sorting, size reduction, mixing, forming, thermal processing and food packaging.
The European market for food processing machinery continues to grow. Market analyses show that the segment covering equipment for meat, poultry and fish processing in Europe is worth around USD 3 billion annually. According to Data Bridge Market Research, this market was valued at approximately USD 3.19 billion in 2024, and forecasts point to further growth driven by plant modernisation and rising demand for processed food products. In practice, this means continued investment in new machinery, upgrades of existing lines, and solutions that support automation and production efficiency.
It is also worth noting that the machinery segment used in meat, poultry and fish processing is only part of the much larger food technology market. The overall European food processing machinery market also includes equipment for dairy, bakery and beverage production, reaching a value of several billion dollars annually. Against this background, the segment of machinery used for processing protein-based raw materials remains a specialised but stable and growing market, with manufacturers continuing to invest in efficiency, operational safety and process hygiene.
This means that food producers remain interested in solutions that increase efficiency, support workplace safety and make hygiene easier to maintain.
Freshly prepared ready meals are a broad product group that includes, among others, dumplings, potato dumplings, croquettes, lasagne, pasta, pizza, tagliatelle, moussaka, penne, hummus, falafel, breaded products, burgers and meatballs. Whether they contain meat, fish or alternative proteins, plants producing such products usually focus on three main areas:
- consistent quality from batch to batch,
- high processing efficiency and reduced losses,
- ease of cleaning and compliance with sanitary requirements.
Modern ready meal production machines are designed for operation in humid environments, intensive washdown conditions and continuous production. More and more of them also use automation and control systems that help reduce raw material losses, improve process consistency and provide better control over production costs.
Current market situation and trends in machinery for the ready meals sector – what matters most today?
The food processing machinery market in Europe is growing at an annual rate of around 4.5–5.6%. This growth is mainly driven by three factors:
- production automation – labour shortages are pushing plants to invest in machines that reduce manual handling,
- energy and water savings – modern equipment generally uses fewer utilities than models from 10–15 years ago,
- safety and hygiene – machine design supports thorough cleaning, helps reduce contamination risks and improves safe operation.
There is strong demand among production plants for slicing, portioning and dicing equipment. This is linked to growing demand for products that are convenient for further preparation, portioning and retail sale. As a result, food producers are increasingly looking for solutions such as:
- precision slicers,
- high-capacity grinders and mixers,
- forming machines and fillers,
- packaging lines adapted to retail sales formats.
Ready meal producers operate in a competitive and fast-changing market. Retail chains negotiate prices aggressively, while consumers expect new formats and recipes such as plant-based meals, cleaner labels, reduced preservative use, seasonal products and convenient top-seal packaging. For this reason, existing machine parks should, as far as possible, allow for adjustments to changing production needs such as recipe changes, new product formats or different packaging formats. At the same time, predictable machine performance remains essential, especially in terms of dosing and weighing accuracy, and in maintaining the required process temperature.
New and used machines from Eryfood for ready meal producers
Eryfood’s offer includes a wide selection of food processing machines – from raw material preparation equipment and production lines to thermal processing and packaging solutions for finished products. This enables ready meal plants to be equipped with solutions tailored to their scale and specific process requirements.
Processing and production machines
Processing and production machines form the backbone of many food plants. At this stage, raw materials – meat, poultry, fish, vegetables or other ingredients – are prepared for further processing. These machines are responsible for size reduction, mixing, portioning, separating bones or skin, and giving the product the required structure. Product consistency and overall process pace depend on the correct machine selection, technical condition and performance.
Grinders – machines used to reduce raw materials to a defined particle size. In ready meal production, they may be used not only for meat, but also for vegetables, pulses and other plant-based ingredients used in fillings, pastes and semi-finished products.
Bowl cutters – machines designed for very precise size reduction and emulsifying of raw materials, helping achieve a uniform structure in fillings, vegetable pastes and other fine-consistency products.
Industrial mixers – machines used to mix ingredients in large production batches. They enable even distribution of raw materials with spices, functional additives and marinades.
Vacuum tumblers – machines used to tumble raw materials under vacuum, supporting the absorption of spices and technological additives and influencing product structure.
Stuffers and vacuum fillers – equipment designed for precise dosing and filling of casings, packaging or production forms, supporting high portion consistency and efficient throughput.
Injectors – machines used to introduce brines, marinades or technological additives directly into the structure of the raw material, helping achieve more even seasoning and product structure.
Skinning machines – equipment designed for the mechanical removal of skin from meat or other raw materials, speeding up preparation for further processing.
Separators – machines used to separate different fractions of raw material, for example, meat from bones or other elements, helping improve raw material utilisation and reduce losses.
Complete production lines – integrated systems that automate the preparation of raw materials, from grinding and mixing to forming semi-finished products before further thermal processing and packaging.
Cooking and thermal processing machines for ready meals
Cooking and thermal processing equipment are responsible for providing the product with the required structure, flavour, and shelf life. At this stage, semi-finished products are exposed to high or low temperatures, depending on the product type and process requirements. Thermal processing machines enable controlled frying, baking, cooking or blanching, helping maintain batch consistency. Freezing tunnels are used for rapid chilling or freezing before packaging and further distribution, supporting product structure and food safety.
Packaging machines for ready meals
Packaging is the final but highly important stage in ready meal production. A properly selected packaging system protects the product, supports shelf life and prepares it for transport and sale. For ready meals, important factors include packaging tightness, weighing accuracy, compliance with sanitary requirements and matching the format to the sales channel.
To achieve this, production plants use vacuum packers, tray sealers, and thermoforming machines that form and seal the package in a single process. The line is complemented by weighing and labelling systems that ensure correct product weight and identification, as well as metal detectors that support food safety. For products in casings, automatic clipping machines are also used to achieve fast, tight closure.
Are new or used machines better for the ready meals sector?
The choice between a new and a used machine for the ready meals sector depends mainly on budget, project timing and the company’s development plans. New machines offer access to newer solutions, are usually more energy-efficient and come with a manufacturer’s warranty. They can also be better matched to a specific production line, which is particularly important in larger investments and new plant projects.
Used machines, on the other hand, usually offer lower purchase costs and faster availability than new models. For many companies, this is a practical solution, especially during start-up or when expanding existing production. In practice, plants often choose equipment from the secondary market when it is in good technical condition and fits the intended process. That is why Eryfood offers food industry machines that can be matched to budget, investment plan and the specific needs of a ready meal production plant.
Buyback of machines used in ready meal production at Eryfood
Eryfood also buys food processing machinery. This is a solution for companies modernising their machine park, closing part of their production, or replacing technological lines. Selling used equipment that is no longer needed allows businesses to recover part of the capital tied up in machinery and allocate it to further investments.
As part of the buyback process, Eryfood offers support, including initial valuation and equipment inspection, dismantling, and transport organisation. The company purchases both standalone machines and complete production lines used in ready meal manufacturing. Thanks to its experience in the food industry, the process can be handled efficiently, with clearly defined terms of cooperation.
FAQ
The core of ready meal production consists of machines used for raw material preparation, product forming and packaging. At the start of the process, plants typically use grinding and mixing equipment, followed by forming machines, and finally packaging systems that prepare the product for transport and sale. Depending on the type of production, thermal processing equipment, weighing systems and other machines supporting the specific technological process may also be required.
Used machines for ready meal production can be a practical and safe alternative to new equipment, provided that their technical condition has been properly verified. When selecting a specific model, it is worth checking the supplier, the scope of the technical inspection, any refurbishment work carried out, and the machine’s suitability for the intended application. Eryfood offers equipment that has been verified for use in food processing environments.
Machine selection should primarily be matched to the type of product, the planned production scale, and the process organisation. The key parameter remains capacity, which should be defined in relation to hourly, shift or daily output. Available production space also matters, as does whether a standalone machine or an integrated line is the better fit. Eryfood helps match solutions to product type, required throughput, budget and project timing.
When selecting a machine, it is best to start with the product type, the planned production scale and the expected throughput. Technical and organisational factors are also important, including energy use, machine dimensions, integration with the existing line and the available production space. The budget should be assessed not only in terms of the purchase price, but also in terms of future operating costs, services, and spare parts. The machine manufacturer, access to service support and reducing the risk of downtime are equally important.
Yes, machines used in ready meal production should meet requirements related to safety, hygiene and suitability for operation in food processing environments. Important factors include food-contact-approved materials, a design that supports thorough cleaning, and safety in daily operation and servicing. In the European market, CE marking also remains an important element. When selecting machinery, it is therefore worth assessing not only performance, but also build quality, hygienic design and compliance with applicable requirements.
Yes, in many cases, an existing line can be expanded in stages, especially if it has a modular design and allows additional machines or functions to be integrated. In practice, expansion does not always mean simply adding another machine – it often also requires mechanical, electrical, pneumatic or software changes, as well as modifications to the control system. It is also necessary to consider limitations resulting from the line’s original throughput, plant layout, available utilities, internal logistics and the range of supported formats. In ready meal production, changes in packaging, portion size, product characteristics or heating and cooling parameters may also require revalidation of the process.
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