Food factories have been around for quite some time, primarily engaged in large-scale food production — producing wholesale products like noodles, biscuits, and other staples. Traditionally, these operations were housed in standalone factories. However, in recent years, food factories have evolved in form and function, and now come in a variety of sizes and formats.

During Covid, Singapore faced the challenge of securing essential food supplies from neighbouring countries, owing to a myriad of factors including export restrictions and panic buying. Taking a leaf from that experience, Singapore plans to fulfil 30% of its nutritional needs locally by 2030. This initiative underscores the significance and changing role of food factories as crucial infrastructure to enhance food resilience and security in the future.

Growing Demand for Food Service Driving Need for Food Factories

The increasing population and shifting dietary preferences have driven the growth of food and beverage (F&B) establishments throughout Singapore. Including non-retail food establishments, food shops and food stalls, Singapore reported over 40,200 such entities in 2024.

This marks a significant jump from approximately 32,300 entities seen a decade ago. Despite worries about rising closures among F&B establishments, demand for food factories is anticipated to stay strong as F&B companies consolidate their operations into centralised kitchens instead.

[CHART 1] — Food establishments in Singapore. Source: Singstat, ERA Research and Market Intelligence

According to the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, some 3,047 F&B businesses shuttered in 2024, marking the highest number of closures seen since 2005. At first glance, this may raise some concerns. However, in the long term, Singapore's projected population growth is expected to drive demand for more F&B services, creating new opportunities for expansion and innovation in the sector.

The Changing Role of Food Factories Today

Moving on from its past, the food factory has discovered new functions in response to the increasing and diverse demands of modern food production. This stems from changing dietary needs and a shift in eating habits that has led to a higher degree of customisation and a greater focus on small-batch food production for ready-to-eat meals.

Moreover, in light of increasing retail rents and manpower costs, many businesses are turning to central kitchens as a cost-efficient alternative. This trend has resulted in new applications for food factories, such as operating as cloud kitchens. By handling the bulk of the food preparation process in a centralised location, businesses can exercise better control over quality and cost before distributing the product to the restaurant or café, or delivering to consumers. That said, there might be cheaper options like industrial canteens with comparable setups.

So what is driving the growing demand for centralised kitchens? This leads us to the next aspect: the necessity for stringent food safety standards.

Food Factories Designed to Meet Food Safety Standards

In Singapore's tightly regulated setting, food safety standards have come under greater scrutiny and have become more stringent. New food factories are designed to adhere to strict safety protocols set by the Singapore Food Agency. This includes the need for separate lifts for raw and cooked food, dedicated driveways for end-to-end logistics, and higher electrical capacity to accommodate coldroom or automation systems.

Food factories typically operate under stricter specifications compared to traditional factories. This allows for more sophisticated installations and advanced mechanisms to meet rigorous safety and operational standards. In that way, companies can minimise food exposure and effectively lower the risk of contamination to the greatest extent possible.

Smaller Food Factories Open New Possibilities

In the past, some F&B operators faced challenges in securing specialised spaces, which are typically much larger. Today, the emergence of smaller food factories offers increased opportunities and flexibility in the food and beverage sector.

Individuals encounter evolving dietary needs and food allergies, necessitating the production of food in small quantities, often within a controlled setting.

Similarly, smaller food factories pave the way for the growth of artisanal food production, which promotes creativity and supports research and development. Over time, this fuels innovation within the food industry.

A Growing but Limited Supply of Food Factories

Although there are no official figures, the number of food factories is increasing to match growing needs. Nonetheless, despite the emergence of new food factory developments, the overall supply remains constrained and may still fall short of meeting market demand.

The rise of new strata food factories offers businesses the chance to secure their own food production spaces, mitigating the risks associated with rising rents and granting greater control over both capital and operational costs. This move towards ownership fosters long-term stability and offers the flexibility to tailor facilities according to specific manufacturing needs.

Food Factories — The Secret Sauce to Feeding Singapore's Future

In closing, food factories are no longer a novelty. They have transformed into a critical pillar of Singapore's industrial landscape.

As Singapore's population expands and consumer preferences shift towards convenience, the demand for scalable food production solutions is becoming increasingly urgent. This need is effectively addressed by consolidating operations in food factories, enabling centralised food preparation, packaging, and distribution all in one location.

Additionally, as more F&B firms seek to consolidate their operations, there is a clear preference for a centralised location to improve efficiency, manage costs and optimise labour demand. Central kitchens and food factories can help streamline operational processes, uphold quality control, and reduce logistical challenges, making them the preferred choice for scalable food production.

Looking ahead, ERA expects the demand for food factories to remain strong, becoming essential in supporting Singapore's food security. As food factories continue to modernise and expand, they are poised to play an even more significant role in ensuring a stable and sustainable food supply for Singapore's future.

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