6 Current Technology Trends in the Food and Beverage Industry

Food and beverage technology trends are helping companies enhance efficiency and reshape customer interactions.

As a CIO, it’s essential to understand the latest technology trends in the food and beverage industry, especially when it comes to enterprise software. Here are some examples from the food and beverage industry of how modern systems are addressing traditional challenges.

F&B Technology Trends to Guide Your Software Selection

Food and beverage technology trends are reshaping the food and beverage industry, and understanding how innovations impact product development, production, and supply chain operations is crucial to choosing the right ERP, SCM, or MES system.

1. Generative AI for Product Development and Commercialization

Generative AI in food and beverage has transformed the F&B sector by accelerating experimentation and optimizing production-scale workflows.

In terms of product development, a beverage company might use generative AI to help develop a line of protein drinks optimized for regional taste preferences. Using generative AI would reduce R&D costs and shorten time-to-market through rapid prototyping. This demonstrates how AI in food and beverage is reshaping innovation cycles.

When it comes to production, some manufacturers are using generative models to adjust recipes based on variables such as ingredient availability and cost constraints—turning what was once a static formulation process into a data-driven, modern approach to food manufacturing technology.

In addition, companies are using large multimodal models (LMMs)—models that can analyze and generate content using images and text—in packaging design and cross-functional innovation. Design teams can generate packaging options that align with both brand guidelines and regulatory requirements, while also incorporating customer sentiment trends from social media and product reviews.

What to Look for in ERP / SCM / MES:

• AI-ready integrations.
• Support for digital twins or virtual simulations to test ingredient changes before scaling.
• Advanced Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) connectivity.
• Automated cost modeling that adjusts ingredient, labor, and production costs as generative AI suggests new formulations.
• Real-time production adaptability, allowing MES to adjust batch parameters based on AI-generated recommendations.

2. Predictive Analytics for Supply Chain Resilience

The disruption of global supply chains has made resilience a board-level concern—and traditional forecasting methods no longer suffice. As part of the latest food and beverage technology trends, companies are turning to predictive AI models to anticipate volatility, respond in real time, and optimize operational decisions.

An example of AI in food and beverage is the predictive models that many modern supply chain management systems use to optimize inventory levels dynamically and reduce the risk of overstocking and shortages. Some systems even enable hyperlocal forecasting using models that factor in zip-code-level demand, supply volatility, and promotions.

When our ERP consultants work with food and beverage companies, we often prioritize platforms that integrate supplier risk monitoring with demand forecasting. This helps companies proactively adjust procurement and distribution strategies, reducing downtime and ensuring consistent product availability.

What to look for in ERP / SCM / MES:

• Embedded predictive forecasting tools.
• Integrated supplier risk monitoring to track lead times, performance, and disruption indicators directly within SCM.
• Dynamic inventory optimization.
• Scenario planning.
• MES connectivity for real-time production impact analysis, helping teams adapt schedules when forecasts shift.

3. AI and Machine Learning for Personalization

Machine Learning (ML) and AI in food and beverage are helping companies personalize customer experiences.

In addition to powering targeted offers and predictive buying patterns, these technologies now support customer-facing service functions by leveraging large language models (LLMs). LLMs can summarize customer interactions across channels, automate support responses, and surface the most relevant product or service options in real time.

At the same time, ERP vendors, like SAP and Oracle, are embedding AI copilots that guide employees through tasks such as pricing adjustments, promotion planning, and customer-specific order configurations—bringing personalization deeper into core operations.

What to look for in ERP / SCM / MES:

• Integration of customer/demand data into planning and forecasting.
• AI-driven pricing and promotion tools connected to ERP.
• SCM features that adjust procurement based on personalized demand.
• MES support for short-run or customized production batches.

4. IoT-Driven Manufacturing Intelligence

The Internet of Things (IoT) and edge computing are revolutionizing food manufacturing technology by unlocking real-time visibility, predictive control, and continuous improvement across operations.

For instance, smart sensors on production lines can detect potential defects or contaminations before they become critical. In addition, these sensors can support strategic priorities such as:

• Predictive maintenance for minimizing unplanned downtime
• Real-time traceability to support rapid recalls and build consumer trust
• Energy consumption tracking to meet ESG and regulatory goals

However, IoT adoption is not without challenges. Implementation costs, integration with legacy systems, and cybersecurity risks remain significant concerns for many F&B companies. We recommend prioritizing IoT solutions that integrate seamlessly with ERP software and investing in robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive operational data.

What to look for in ERP / SCM / MES:

• Real-time IoT data integration for equipment, batch, and environment monitoring.
• MES dashboards that display machine performance, downtime, and quality metrics.
• ERP connectivity for automated inventory and production updates from IoT signals.
• SCM visibility tools that track temperature, location, and conditions across the supply chain.

5. Modern Infrastructure for Scalable, AI-Ready Operations

As technology trends in the food and beverage industry advance, the need for strong, scalable IT infrastructure has become increasingly clear.

Our ERP software consultants always tell clients that an optimized IT infrastructure is crucial for handling increased data volumes and complex system integrations.

Here’s a look at some elements of an optimized infrastructure, driven by modern food and beverage technology trends and the growing role of AI in food and beverage:

• Scalable Cloud Solutions – Many F&B companies rely on cloud computing to ensure scalability and flexibility. Cloud platforms allow businesses to manage vast amounts of data, facilitating seamless operations and real-time analytics.
• Enhanced Cybersecurity Measures – As digital data becomes more integral to operations, protecting this data has risen in priority. F&B companies are investing in zero-trust architectures and other sophisticated cybersecurity measures to safeguard sensitive information.
• Open Data Platforms – Data-exchange platforms supported by common data standards can unify structured and unstructured data from across the enterprise. These platforms also integrate with generative AI copilots and predictive analytics engines, which are key enablers of AI readiness.

What to look for in ERP / SCM / MES:

• Cloud-native platforms that scale with AI workloads and large data volumes.
• Strong API and integration capabilities for connecting AI, IoT, and analytics tools.
• Real-time data processing.
• Built-in security, traceability, and compliance controls suitable for regulated F&B environments.

6. Innovations in Customer-Facing Technologies

Recent advancements in customer experience technology aim to address the growing demand for faster and more personalized service.

Here are some of the top F&B technology trends that companies are using to enhance the customer experience:

• Cloud-Based Delivery Optimization Platforms – These platforms use AI and machine learning to predict delivery times, optimize routes, and manage orders in real-time.
• Next-Generation Mobile Apps – Mobile apps in the F&B sector now feature AI-driven personalization, voice ordering, and integrated augmented reality (AR) experiences.

What to look for in ERP / SCM / MES:

• Ability to integrate with POS, kiosks, mobile apps, delivery platforms, and loyalty systems to keep pricing, promotions, and product availability aligned across all customer channels.
• Real-time demand-signal tracking from customer touchpoints to improve forecasting, inventory accuracy, and order fulfillment speed.
• Support for rapid production adjustments based on customer preferences, menu changes, and order patterns captured from front-end digital channels.

How These Trends Impact ERP & Supply Chain Software Selection

The latest technology trends in the food and beverage industry redefine what food and beverage companies should expect from ERP, SCM, and MES platforms. F&B technology trends directly influence software selection in crucial key ways:

• Emphasis on data integration and interoperability: Rigid or closed architectures are no longer viable. Systems must seamlessly connect with analytics platforms, AI engines, IoT devices, and customer apps.
• Real-time visibility and decision intelligence: Modern F&B operations demand ERPs and SCM tools that provide instant insights into production, supply chain risks, customer behavior, and demand fluctuations.
• Shift toward cloud-first: Companies need platforms capable of handling large, fast-growing datasets and supporting AI-readiness, collaboration, and remote operations.
• Flexibility and configurability: Customization, rapid product iteration, personalized offerings, and omnichannel demand require systems that adapt without heavy coding.
• Stronger focus on cybersecurity and compliance: As data volumes grow, ERPs and supply chain systems must support zero-trust models, traceability, secure integrations, and evolving F&B regulations.

Learn More About Improving Production Efficiency With Emerging Technologies

The latest technology trends in the food and beverage industry are not only fostering customer loyalty but also enabling smarter decision-making in the C-suite and across the organization.

As F&B software continues to evolve, our business software consultants can help you navigate the changing landscape. Contact us below for a free consultation and explore our Top 10 ERP Systems for Food & Beverage to see which platforms are leading the industry in 2025.

FAQs About Technology Trends in the Food and Beverage Industry