Yield, quality, and profit in focus at Anuga FoodTec 2024

Flexible production methods that improve yield, quality, and profit are always a key topic for meat producers and the conversation at this year’s Anuga FoodTec was no different. We talked to many visitors about the current challenges facing the meat industry and about the latest technologies and trends that promote efficient, flexible operations and ensure growth. 

Sustainable production was also high on the agenda with a focus on increasing productivity to finance the necessary changes. FOSS Sales Manager, Davide Manfrin who was busy talking to visitors throughout the event confirms this. “The bigger trends are focused on being more efficient and flexible to face a strong growth without losing margins. Sustainability is seen by many producers as a financial concern with great pressure to save productivity and increase yields in order to sustain the necessary changes,” he explains.

The increased cost of raw materials was another sore point for many of the visitors Davide Manfrin spoke with. “Increased cost, reduced margins to cover a global changing market with more competitors and new quality standards to fit, are huge concerns in today’s industry,” he explains. “Also, local challenges such as inflation, are seen as an opportunity to rethink the business model with a wider portfolio of finished products,” he continues. 

Davide Manfrin was available at the FOSS stand to discuss the benefits of standardizing ash and protein content in meat and bone meal with the NIRS™ DS3. He demonstrated how easy it is to prepare samples and get fast, accurate results that make a huge difference for controlling fat, moisture, protein and ash at every step of your production. 

Another attention grabber on show at the event was the newly launched MeatMaster™ Flex. Global Key Account & International Business Manager, Stefan J. Linn was on the scene to discuss how a smaller footprint and unique flexibility makes it easy for any production facility with a minimum of space to benefit from in-line X-ray analysis, to make the most of raw materials and secure quality and profit. In this connection he spoke to many producers about the challenges they are currently facing in the meat production process.

“For most visitors cost reduction, consistency and product quality aspects such as foreign object detection remain a key priority,” explains Stefan J. Linn. “But at the same time topics such as automation and industry 4.0 are top of mind,” he continues.

While MeatMaster II has long been a leading solution that leverages reliable, real-time data in the process line to secure a production that meets target values every time, there are many meat producers for whom this hasn’t been a relevant option, simply due to size and price. With the MeatMaster Flex, in-line process control is now readily available for any meat producer.

In conclusion, the key take-away from this year’s Anuga FoodTec seems to be that the main challenges for meat producers today remain focused on securing profit, quality and efficient production processes. As the industry faces the added challenge and financial implications of moving toward more sustainable production, the challenges are more relevant than ever. There is no doubt, that in the coming years, access to reliable, real-time data, that can help producers make the most of costly resources, minimize lean meat give-away and meet target values every time, is the key to maintaining a competitive edge.

If you have any questions about the NIRS DS3, MeatMaster Flex or any of the other solutions in our meat analysis portfolio, please reach out to your local FOSS sales representative.