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Robots used in bakeries to perform labour-intensive tasks
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Friday, 12 June, 2026, 15 : 00 PM [IST]
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Dr Bijal Lalan
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The bakery and confectionery sector are emerging as one of the largest segments within India’s food processing industry, offering substantial opportunities for growth, innovation, and employment generation. From breakfast cereals to cookies and chocolates, the bakery and confectionery landscape in India is witnessing dynamic shifts, propelled by flourishing demand for biscuits and cookies nationwide. The Indian bakery industry was valued at US$15.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach US$32.05 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 8.76%. Additionally, exports of baked goods increased from US$346.7 million in FY19 to US$557.6 million in FY24, reflecting a CAGR of 10%.
Market growth is driven by population expansion, increase in disposable incomes, change in dietary preferences, Westernised food trends, increased consumption of baked food and ready to eat (RTE) food, expansion of retail and e-commerce channels, and the emergence of cloud kitchens. Online platforms have enhanced consumer access to diverse bakery products and facilitated direct-to-consumer sales models.
Growing health awareness has accelerated the development of healthier bakery alternatives, including gluten-free, sugar-free, fortified, organic, whole-wheat, and multigrain products. Consequently, manufacturers are increasing investments in research and development to meet evolving consumer demands.
Furthermore, digital transformation is reshaping the traditional artisan-based bakery industry by improving operational efficiency, product quality, sustainability, waste reduction, supply chain management, and customer experience. These advancements are strengthening the competitiveness and resilience of the bakery sector in both domestic and international markets.
Digital transformation in the agri-food supply chain is driven by technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, blockchain, digital twins, big data analytics, and advanced sensors. The growing emphasis on automation, often summarised as “automate or die,” is accelerating technology adoption across agriculture and food industries. Although the agri-food sector has traditionally been a late adopter due to limited skilled personnel and high implementation costs, progress toward automation is increasing.
A survey conducted in 2022 indicated that 46% of bakery businesses planned investments in new machinery and innovative products, while 32% considered automation technologies. These investments can enhance operational efficiency, improve data-driven decision-making, mitigate supply chain disruptions, reduce human error, and address evolving consumer expectations. Digital transformation is also changing sales models, encouraging bakeries to adopt e-commerce and online platforms to expand market reach.
Furthermore, digitalisation enables remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, automated inventory management, and improved quality control. Smart technologies facilitate real-time production monitoring, demand forecasting, and direct customer engagement. Enhanced traceability and supply chain transparency also support compliance with food safety regulations and strengthen sustainability practices within the bakery sector.
Technological Innovations in the Bakery Industry
1. Automation and Robotics
Automation and robotics are transforming bakery operations by enhancing productivity, reducing labor dependence, and improving product quality and consistency. According to the Food Engineering State of Food Manufacturing Survey, automation can increase production output by 10–15%. Automated systems have been successfully applied to key bakery processes, including dough mixing, fermentation, and baking.
Automation also contributes to improved worker health and safety, enhanced quality control, greater food safety, reduced labour costs, and strengthened traceability and regulatory compliance. Technologies such as ergonomic system design, wearable monitoring devices, virtual reality-based training, and data-driven process optimisation further support operational efficiency. Robots are being used in bakeries to perform repetitive and labour-intensive tasks, enabling human workers to focus on more complex and value-added activities.
2. Blockchain
Blockchain is an electronic diary containing all the information and transactions related to the product or the process in chronological sequence. In the bakery industry, blockchain can enhance productivity by improving traceability, operational efficiency, and stakeholder trust. By enabling transparent, tamper-resistant, and verifiable data management without reliance on third-party intermediaries, blockchain strengthens supply chain integrity. A key application is the tracking of raw materials throughout the supply chain, allowing verification of product origin, quality, and authenticity. Furthermore, blockchain enables consumers to access detailed product histories, thereby increasing transparency, consumer confidence, and brand loyalty.
3. Wireless Sensor Networks
Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have emerged as effective tools for real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and process optimisation in the bakery industry. Their integration into bakery operations enhances process control, production efficiency, and product quality. Studies have demonstrated the successful application of WSNs in monitoring bread-baking processes, including the development of pilot-scale electric ovens equipped with sensor networks for quality assessment. Such systems utilise temperature measurements and digital image analysis to regulate oven conditions and conveyor belt speed, ensuring consistent product quality. Additionally, WSN-based solutions have been applied in Carasau bread production, enabling real-time data acquisition, cost-effective process monitoring, and user-friendly control interfaces, particularly benefiting process optimisation in small-scale bakeries.
4. Digital Platforms
Digital platforms are increasingly transforming the food industry by connecting stakeholders, streamlining operations, enhancing customer experiences, and improving supply chain efficiency. These platforms support a range of functions, including online food delivery, inventory management, restaurant reservations, and product marketing, while also accelerating the development and market introduction of new food products. In the bakery sector, digital technologies have significantly altered production, communication, and consumption patterns, particularly through the expansion of online food delivery services. Digital tools facilitate broader market access, improved customer engagement, and data-driven decision-making. For example, the DIGIFOOD dashboard enables monitoring of local and online bread and pastry markets, providing comparative insights into product availability and distribution channels.
Despite the benefits of digital transformation, the bakery sector faces several implementation challenges, including organisational resistance, high investment costs, shortage of skilled personnel, technological integration complexities, and market saturation. Additional barriers include ergonomic concerns and the incorporation of advanced digital technologies into traditionally operated bakery systems.
Regulatory compliance presents further challenges, with artisanal bakeries often constrained by limited resources, while large-scale manufacturers must comply with complex international standards. To address traceability and transparency requirements, cost-effective solutions such as QR code-based systems and blockchain technologies have been proposed. Furthermore, achieving a balance between personalisation and operational scalability remains challenging, as artisanal bakeries prioritise customised customer experiences, whereas industrial producers emphasise automation and process standardisation.
Digitalisation has the potential to optimise bakery production processes, enhance customer experience, and address evolving consumer demands. Emerging technologies such as automation, blockchain, WSNs, and digital platforms have improved production efficiency and supply chain management, while supporting food safety, traceability, and sustainability objectives. These digital tools enable real-time monitoring, quality control, and end-to-end traceability, thereby improving product quality, reducing operational costs, and enhancing transparency.
(The author is assistant professor, Post Graduate Department of Food Science and Nutrition, SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai)
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