Labor shortages remain a huge challenge for meat, poultry, and seafood processors. In fact, nearly two-thirds (62%) classify labor as their biggest operational challenge this year, according to Meat, Poultry, Seafood & Alternative Proteins, a study published in September 2022 by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. Nearly half (47%) of the respondents would consider automating any task that could replace reliance on human labor.
Unfortunately, for most processors, less than 50% of their plant floor is automated. The PMMI report explains that this relatively low penetration of automation is because processors find it difficult to identify systems that suit their operation. It’s also challenging to provide the capital, time, and expertise needed to execute automation projects. As a result, there is a balancing act between future goals and immediate needs. What automation processors have adopted tends to be associated with secondary packaging. On the processing side, automation can’t always accommodate the variability and often delicate nature of the product. Nevertheless, processors are slowly expanding the use of automated systems in processing, often via incremental improvements like automated feeding or automated inspection.