Level 2 minimal - vdma.eu

The food and packaging machinery industry is showing stability despite global uncertainties: slight increase in production, robust foreign markets - but high location costs are weighing on competitiveness.

Africa's packaging industry is booming - but every market is different. VDMA expert Daniel Dellemann shows where opportunities lie, which trends count and why local partners are crucial for successful market strategies.

In December, incoming orders for food processing and packaging machinery increased by 17% in real terms compared to the previous year. Domestic orders rose by 15% and orders from abroad by 17%.

German production of food processing and packaging (FPaP) machinery increased by 3.6% in the first three quarters of 2025. Packaging machinery production increased significantly.

In November, incoming orders for food processing and packaging machinery rose by 7% in real terms compared to the previous year. Domestic orders rose by 32% and orders abroad by 3%.

In October, incoming orders in the food processing and packaging machinery sub-sector were 7% down on the previous year in real terms. Domestic orders were up 30% on the previous year, while orders from abroad fell by 14%.

In September, incoming orders in the food processing and packaging machinery sector (NuV) were 5% higher in real terms than in the previous year. Domestic orders fell by 19%, while orders from abroad increased by 10%.

At the start of the world's leading trade fair drinktec, the industry is in robust shape. Exports continue to grow - by 6 in the first half of 2025 alone. Particularly strong: the EU-27 with 10.2%, the USA remains the most important single market.

Exports of food processing and packaging machinery will continue to grow in the first half of 2025, bucking the trend in the mechanical engineering sector as a whole.

Incoming orders in the food processing and packaging machinery sector were down 5% in real terms in June compared to the same month last year.

The future prospects for manufacturers of beverage machine and dairy technology are positive, as the global beverage industry is growing dynamically. The global sales volume of soft drinks will increase by 16% to 972 billion euros by 2028.

The decline in production in 2024 in the food processing and packaging machinery sector fell by just under 2% to 16.1 billion euros, while exports rose sharply - from 6% to 10.6 billion euros.

We produce monthly data sheets on various sectors, categories and countries based on data from Euromonitor International. We publish these via the NuV-Telegram newsletter and make them available for download here.

The VDMA reports a decline in production in the food processing and packaging machinery sector of just under 2% to EUR 16.1 billion, while exports grew by 6% to EUR 10.6 billion.

The global food and beverage industry is one of the most dynamic growth sectors. Plastic dominates sales of retail packaging for food and beverages.

Spain increased its exports of meat processing machinery by 3.1% in 2024. Companies exported machines worth 77 million euros.

Italy increased its exports of meat processing machinery by 3.8% in 2024. Companies achieved a record level of 182 million euros in foreign trade.

Global demand for packaged food, beverages, liquid food, pharmaceutical products and other non-food products will continue to rise in the coming years. The packaging machinery industry is benefiting from these developments.

The future prospects of the supplier industry for the meat and protein sector are positive, as the global food industry is developing dynamically. Germany is on its way to becoming the leading market for meat substitute products.

Here you can download our digital press kit and the press kit of our cooperation partner, the Fraunhofer IVV.

In this compilation of GTAI articles from 2024 on the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life science and pharmaceutical sectors, you will find the markets and articles in chronological order.

The VDMA Business Survey Q4/2025 ran from January 13 to 28, 2026. 1331 responses were received from 965 companies. The mood has brightened slightly.

For several years now, we have been producing monthly data sheets on various sectors, categories and countries based on data from Euromonitor International. We publish the latest editions via the monthly newsletter NuV-Telegram.

The start to the year was disappointing, with the mechanical engineering sector recording a 6 percent drop in orders in January. The war in the Gulf region brings new uncertainty and burdens.

Latest News on Indian Power Sector

Economic Scenario of India

The eastern German mechanical and plant engineering sector is proving resilient. This is according to the latest economic survey conducted by the VDMA Regional Association East in the fourth quarter of 2025.

East German mechanical and plant engineering sector records real order growth of 3 percent in 2025 VDMA East calls for rapid investment from special funds in transport, energy and logistics infrastructure

Hamburg, February 5, 2026 - In 2025, the order intake of VDMA member companies in the Northern Association (Bremen, Hamburg, Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein) was slightly above the previous year's level by one percent on a price-adjusted basis.

Orders fell again in November. The picture for sales is mixed.

Incoming orders in the mechanical engineering sector in Rhineland-Palatinate also showed a double-digit improvement in November. Only the domestic market is weakening in terms of sales.

As global supply chains shift, ASEAN’s strategic importance grows. This publication offers data-driven insights, manufacturing trends, and member experiences shaping growth in Southeast Asia, in collaboration with GTAI and EDB.

External shocks and home-grown problems are weakening the country's competitiveness.

Orders rose by double digits in October. The picture is mixed when it comes to sales.

Europe's and Germany's competitiveness is under threat: weak investment and political inaction are jeopardizing the mechanical and plant engineering industry. Fast, decisive reforms are needed now.

In recent years, India's economic development has been characterized by strong momentum, structural change and growing importance on the world stage, including rising employment and expanding private consumption.

Batam’s BBK SEZ emerges as a cost-efficient hub for manufacturing, logistics, and digital services. When linked with Singapore and Johor, the tripartite sees potential to strengthen regional supply chains and reshape the future of a tri-hub network.

Incoming orders in the mechanical engineering sector rose by 4% in real terms in October compared to the previous year. This was driven by non-euro countries. The growth is pleasing, but only represents consolidation at a low level.

In September, incoming orders in the mechanical engineering sector in Rhineland-Palatinate again showed a double-digit improvement. Only the domestic market is weakening in terms of sales.

In August, the mechanical engineering sector in Saarland once again saw a significant decline in orders. In terms of turnover, the eurozone grew again for the first time since September 2024.

The global business situation in the mechanical engineering sector shows light and shade - with significant regional differences. Positive signals are coming from India and Brazil, while the business situation in China and the USA remains difficult.

Incoming orders increase in the third quarter

China's aggressive economic and trade policy is putting pressure on Europe's mechanical engineering sector. Together with VDMA Italia, Italian companies have discussed ways to deal with this situation.

Mechanical engineering companies in Germany recorded a sharp decline in their order books in September. This also resulted in a slight drop in orders for the first nine months of 2025.

Domestic orders once again fell by double digits in August. There were also declines in sales.

Incoming orders in the mechanical engineering sector in Rhineland-Palatinate also showed a double-digit improvement in August. And sales are also rising across the board.

In July, the mechanical engineering sector in Saarland finally saw a slight increase in orders. However, there is still no improvement in turnover.

The mechanical and plant engineering industry in Baden-Württemberg continues to face major challenges.

The mood in the machinery and equipment manufacturing sector deteriorated further in the 3 quarter and the outlook has worsened noticeably. In addition to the customs conflict, the weakness in key customer industries is having an increasing impact.

Im August musste der baden-württembergische Maschinen- und Anlagenbau einen Orderrückgang von real 28 Prozent gegenüber dem Vorjahresmonat verzeichnen.

In August, incoming orders were disappointing with a decline of 7% compared to the previous year. Orders from non-euro countries in particular fell sharply - an effect of US customs policy.

Foreign orders fell by double digits in July. Sales, however, showed positive growth rates almost across the board.

In July, Baden-Württemberg's mechanical and plant engineering sector recorded a 2% drop in orders in real terms compared to the same month last year.

Trade conflicts, bureaucracy and rising costs are slowing down the mechanical engineering sector. Production will fall by 5 percent in 2025. VDMA President Kawlath calls for an "autumn of action".

In June, the mechanical engineering sector in Saarland once again saw a double-digit decline in orders. There was also no improvement in turnover.

Both domestic and foreign orders and sales increased in June.

The slight easing in order books in July is not a trend reversal: The hoped-for momentum in investments in mechanical engineering is still lacking. The promised relief must therefore come in the fall.

Incoming orders in the mechanical engineering sector in Rhineland-Palatinate did not improve in June either, as they remain negative across the board. In terms of turnover, the growth in other foreign countries is pleasing.

The latest VDMA economic report on the USA shows a dynamic market and industrial environment. Now exclusively for members - with interactive charts and current economic data.

Baden-Wuerttemberg's mechanical and plant engineering sector generated around EUR 47.5 billion in exports in 2024

India’s FDI Rise: A decade of decisive growth and global confidence

Foreign orders in mechanical engineering in Saarland show double-digit growth in May 2025. But there is hardly any improvement in sales.

The results for incoming orders in the mechanical engineering sector in Rhineland-Palatinate did not improve in May either, as they are negative across the board. There is also no improvement in turnover.

Incoming orders in the mechanical engineering sector in Hesse continue to fluctuate greatly. In May, they fell by 12 percent after rising by 7.7 percent in April. Sales, on the other hand, are rising again.

The business outlook in the mechanical engineering sector remains virtually unchanged, while the mood among companies remains tense. There are significant differences between the sales regions.

Incoming orders in May were a positive surprise - albeit on a weak prior-year basis. Overall, companies have recorded a small increase in orders so far this year, but global uncertainty remains high.

In our quarterly report, we provide you with information on India's macroeconomic development as well as detailed information on the manufacturing industry and individual sectors with a special focus on machinery & equipment.

The results for incoming orders in the mechanical engineering sector in Hesse continue to fluctuate greatly. In April, they rose by 7.7% after falling by 6% in March.

Incoming orders from abroad for mechanical engineering in Rhineland-Palatinate stagnated in April 2025, after falling in February and March but rising by double digits in January.

Domestic orders for Saarland-based mechanical engineering companies have been falling since January 2024 and declined by a further 0.7 percent in April 2025, resulting in an overall decline of 11.2 percent for the first four months of 2025.

In April 2025, incoming orders presented an unusual picture: extremely weak foreign orders contrasted with strong domestic demand. Overall, orders were clearly in the red.

Incoming orders in the mechanical engineering sector fell by 6% in real terms in April compared to the previous year. An expected setback, given the uncertainty caused by US tariff policy.

Incoming orders in Hesse continue to fluctuate greatly.

The global business situation in the mechanical engineering sector remains mixed. While India and Brazil are impressing with good figures, China is struggling with structural challenges. The USA is characterized by the latest tariff policy.

Incoming orders from abroad for the mechanical engineering sector in Rhineland-Palatinate fell by 4.7% in March 2025, following a double-digit increase in December and January.

Sentiment among companies in the mechanical and plant engineering sector in Baden-Württemberg remains low

How well do you know the VDMA statistics database? And how often do you use it? Join us on a half-hour tour and get to know our wide range of data.

The mechanical engineering sector started the year with a subdued export result. March at least showed a slight upward trend. However, the weaknesses in the Chinese and EU markets remain serious.

Domestic orders for mechanical engineering companies in Saarland have been falling since January 2024 and fell by a further 3% in March 2025, resulting in an overall decline of 8% in the first quarter of 2025. (see table 1 and chart).

Buoyant foreign orders - weak domestic demand: In March 2025, incoming orders showed two very different faces. The bottom line was a considerable increase of 30 percent.

The first quarter of 2025 resulted in an overall increase in orders of 4% - the first positive quarterly balance of orders in three years. March also closed with a pleasing increase in orders of 4%.

After the poor start to the year for foreign orders in mechanical engineering in Hesse in January (-15.8%), orders rose by 6.6% in February 2025. This represents a decline of 6.1 percent up to February.

Incoming orders from abroad for the mechanical engineering sector in Rhineland-Palatinate fell by 0.5% in February 2025, following a double-digit increase two months earlier. Growth of 5.9% therefore remains until February.

Domestic orders for mechanical engineering companies in Saarland have been falling since January 2024 and fell by a further 15.6% in January 2025, resulting in a total decline of 10.3% by February 2025 (see table 1 and chart).

Sentiment in the mechanical engineering sector improved somewhat at the start of 2025, but remains very mixed. A majority of companies do not expect slight growth again until 2026.

EU machinery and equipment manufacturing companies currently rate their competitive position as worse than the long-term average. This is particularly true to companies based in Germany.

India's Interim Union Budget for 2024 projects a reduction in the revised fiscal deficit and a decline in inflation. These key economic indicators signal a promising future for the Indian economy, even amidst global economic uncertainties.

After a weak start to the year, patience is still required: the eastern German mechanical and plant engineering sector once again saw a drop in orders in February. Only customers from the eurozone invested generously.

In February, order books in the mechanical engineering sector filled up unexpectedly strongly by 8% in real terms. Part of this growth was due to large-scale plant business and part to component business.

For the second month in a row, incoming orders from abroad for the mechanical engineering sector in Rhineland-Palatinate showed double-digit growth, following four months of double-digit declines.

Domestic orders for mechanical engineering companies in Saarland have been falling since January 2024 and fell by a further 23.8% in December, resulting in an overall decline of 12.2% for 2024 (see table 1 and chart).

Thuringia's mechanical and plant engineering sector continued the previous year's very good sales result in 2024 despite the difficult conditions. The industry fell just short of the 4 billion mark.

The machinery and equipment industry in Europe can hold its own in the face of increasingly tough global competition - if the promised relief comes and companies push ahead with their transformation.

After three months of growth, foreign orders in the mechanical engineering sector in Hesse fell again slightly by 0.8 percent in December.

After three consecutive years of growth, Saxony's mechanical engineering companies lost momentum in 2024. Turnover and employment figures are pointing downwards. The association expects a mixed result for 2025.

Incoming orders were disappointing in the first ten months. The euro partner countries are a ray of hope. There is cautious optimism for 2026, but trade, geopolitical and domestic political developments remain uncertainty factors.

The US tariffs are putting VDMA member companies under severe pressure. Almost half of the companies are reporting a decline in incoming orders and many are reporting significant falls in sales.

The following summarizes the discussions with VDMA members' branches in Turkey and with Turkish mechanical engineering companies as well as the second meeting of VDMA members in Istanbul.

The eastern German mechanical and plant engineering sector closed the first half of 2024 with a disappointing order intake. The balance from January to June is also negative compared to the previous year.