The food manufacturing industry goes far beyond serving food to consumers – it’s about creating unforgettable experiences, guaranteeing safety, and building trust with consumers. Behind every delicious dish lies a complex production journey of sourcing, production, quality assurance, distribution, etc.
Managing all these aspects or let’s say managing the food supply chain altogether is no small feat, especially with growing customer expectations about eating healthy & nutritious, ever-changing national & international regulations, and shifting market dynamics.
As we step into 2025, Enterprise Resource Planning Software (ERP) will still be in demand and more and more food manufacturers – be it small, medium, or large will focus on implementing it.
Continue reading the blog to know what your food manufacturing ERP software should have in 2025 so that you can digitize your operations better, manufacture top-grade compliant food products, and meet customer needs better than competitors.
What’s in Store for 2025?
The bread of the year 2025 will have everything from beautiful butter spreads to flaky salt toppings and lemon zest.
These trends will clearly define the context of what is going to be served in the manufacturing platter and how a food and beverage manufacturing ERP software will help you deal with it successfully savoring the taste of profits the whole year through.
1. Integrating New Technologies:
In today’s fast-changing business landscape, integrating new technologies with Food ERP systems is important for food businesses to remain competitive and resilient.
Advanced ERP systems can incorporate the latest technical trends such as Big Data, Machine Learning, Internet of Things, and Cloud Computing to enhance data analysis, digitize supply chain management, and ease out the operational challenges the businesses face.
This integration will allow businesses to manage perishable inventory efficiently, predict consumer demand accurately, and maintain product quality, all while reducing costs and waste.
- AI-powered ERP: Assists with production planning and demand forecasting, crucial for an industry with thin profit margins.
- IoT-enabled Features: Enable real-time tracking of inventory and shipments, improving supply chain visibility and reducing disruptions.
- Big Data: Helps gather and analyze extensive data to identify trends and take strategic decisions for improved operations.
- Machine Learning: Enhances ERP systems by predicting future needs based on historical data, and optimizing inventory and resource use.
- Cloud Computing: Offers scalability and remote access, facilitating collaboration, seamless updates, and integration with other technologies.
This integration allows them to streamline processes, quickly adapt to changing market conditions, and meet increasing consumer demands for quality, transparency, and sustainability.
Leveraging real-time data helps businesses optimize inventory, predict trends, and ensure efficient resource allocation, while cloud-based solutions enable flexibility and collaboration.
2. Reframing The Supply Chain Activities–
Whether due to recessionary situations, geopolitical conflicts, or climate-changing events, the supply chain bottlenecks could persist in the upcoming year too, says industry experts. During this time, commodity prices and key material availability may fluctuate.
For this, having a resilient supply chain that could resolve all the redundancies easily like holding extra inventory for crucial items, engaging with multiple suppliers, increased visibility for better operational stability, managing trade compliance agreements and documentations, tax calculations, executing reconciliation and settlements, etc. will be a key requirement for the manufacturers.
3. Focusing on Data Insights–
It’s a popular saying that “an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.” In manufacturing, prevention is only possible if you are informed and well aware of the upcoming situations to tackle them without losing anything.
Hence, over time manufacturers will need to turn towards statistics and figures to stay informed and action-ready beforehand.
Along with ensuring a streamlined execution of the manufacturing operations, hundreds of performance indicators keep manufacturers updated with every type of uncertainty that could occur.
Example: In a frozen food plant, sensors can alert staff if freezer temperatures rise above safe levels or if conveyor belts slow down. These alerts help prevent spoilage and keep production running smoothly.
4. Greater Emphasis on Healthy Food-
The continuous innovation and introduction of new products to the market in a variety of packaging proves that consumer demands are changing rapidly.
Prominently, changes in lifestyle and diet preferences have given rise to this trend of specific food requirements and this might increase in the upcoming time.
Some specific healthy food trends that are expected to rise in 2025 are-
- Immunity-building foods
- Foods with reduced sodium and sugar—to reduce obesity & other health issues
- Innovative flavors and combinations
- More traditional protein-rich foods
- Gluten-free products, etc.
5. Driving the Sustainability Agenda-
Sustainability is manufacturing products through economically sound processes that ensure minimized negative impacts on the environment. Consumers’ perception of opting for sustainable food products is not new but, because of increasing health concerns and dietary issues, this ideology popped up again.
This is the reason why manufacturers need to refocus their attention on sustainability and related choices that consumers are making.
Along with the strengthened demand for plant-based foods and vegan recipes, plastic-free packaging is getting more popular among the millennials.
Hence, for packaging and labeling too, the trend of adopting recyclable materials, bio-based inks, and adhesives that could wash off, would probably become more common in the upcoming year.
“According to a report, 66% of all United States consumers and 80% of adults under 34, willingly pay a premium cost for sustainable products.”
6. Affordability-
Consumers are looking for more affordable food options since inflation is predicted to continue, which is forcing food makers to innovate without compromising quality. Improving productivity, cutting waste, and increasing production efficiency are necessary to achieve this.
Manufacturers can further adapt by experimenting with less expensive alternative components, creating customized or portion-controlled products, utilizing AI and robotics to streamline operations, and utilizing sustainable sourcing and packaging to cut expenses.
These tactics guarantee competitiveness in a difficult market by addressing affordability as well as changing consumer preferences.
BatchMaster ERP Is Here to Help-
Here at BatchMaster, we are committed to providing effective technological capabilities that help our clients to be ready for tomorrow, today. As challenges like soaring costs, the need for sustainable production, and changing food demands continue to grow, manufacturers are turning to automation.
An industry-specific Food ERP software helps address manufacturing redundancies, reduces production time, and increases output, paving the way for a stable future.
Our four decades of presence, with numerous successful implementations, are evidence of our authenticity and expertise. If you need any assistance related to industry-specific ERP solutions, get in touch with our team of experts today.
