Food and beverage companies are entering a pivotal year in 2026. Rising ingredient prices, stricter food safety regulations, shorter shelf life, and increasing requirements for traceability are making operational change a necessity for the industry. Faster and more accurate processes are now essential, yet manual workflows and disconnected systems cannot support critical functions such as batch tracking, expiry management, or compliance reporting.
This is where ERP solutions for food and beverage companies become essential. A modern ERP system integrates food manufacturing, inventory, and accounting within a single platform, enabling real-time visibility and control across operations. Selecting the Best ERP Solutions for Food and Beverage 2026 is not about adopting advanced technology, but about improving accuracy, meeting regulatory demands, and supporting scalable growth.
Why ERP Drives Efficiency and Compliance in Food & Beverage?
The food processing industry is a specialized sector where the business environment is challenging. It deals with perishable items, high-quality standards, and complex supply chain networks, which general ERPs cannot fully address.
An ERP solution specifically designed for food manufacturing companies helps businesses in the following ways:
- Provides traceability to track the origin of ingredients and batches throughout the entire supply chain
- Monitors expiration dates to reduce losses and ensure product safety
- Manages recipes, formulations, and yields for consistent product quality
- Ensures compliance with food safety regulations
- Offers insights into cost, profitability, and operational performance
For businesses operating across multiple global locations, such as the USA and Australia, ERP tools also support local regulations, taxes, and reporting requirements
To help food and beverage companies choose the right solution, it is also important to review the key features of ERP systems that address these challenges.
Key ERP Selection Criteria for Food & Beverage Companies
When Shortlisting and Selecting ERPs for Food & Beverages Companies: ERPs for Food & Beverages Key Considerations. Certain key functionalities of the software to be used by the food processing industry, even before the selection of the ERP software, are as follows:
Perishable Item Inventory Management
An ideal ERP system for managing inventories should be capable of monitoring lot numbers, expiry dates, and food movement in real time to reduce wastage and stock shortages. It helps businesses always know what is in stock, what is nearing expiry, and what needs to be used or sold first. This improves daily planning and ensures only safe, usable products reach customers.
Batch and Recipe Control
In food companies, the ERP system must support batch manufacturing, recipe updates, allergen tracking, and yield control to maintain product quality. This allows businesses to produce consistent products every time while making safe changes when ingredients, standards, or customer needs change. It also reduces manual mistakes and improves overall production accuracy.
The End-To-End Traceability
Traceability is another key aspect, especially during product recalls or audits. The ERP system should make it easy to track materials from purchase to final product. This helps companies quickly identify where a problem started and which products are affected, saving time and protecting both customers and brand reputation.
Compliance & Quality Management
Food standards differ across regions. ERP software helps manage audits, records, and quality checks required for food safety compliance. By storing inspection reports and test results in one system, businesses stay organised, reduce paperwork, and meet regulatory requirements more easily.
Scalability and Cloud Accessibility
A cloud-based ERP solution allows food businesses to grow, add new locations, and access the system from anywhere. This makes teamwork easier, keeps data updated in real time, and supports expansion without increasing system complexity.
How ERP Supports Food and Beverage Operations in 2026?
Generally, the food business operation requires the execution of an ERP solution with functionalities in process manufacturing, inventory, and compliance. Below is an in-depth description explaining the Best ERP for the Food Industry 2026.
1. ERP Solution for Process and Batch Production
Food manufacturing ERP software helps manage recipes, batch production, and yield accuracy. It ensures consistent product quality, reduces production errors, and improves planning by aligning manufacturing with demand.
2. For Inventory Management
An inventory management ERP for food companies tracks stock by batch and expiry date in real time. This reduces spoilage, prevents stock shortages, and improves warehouse efficiency through better stock rotation and replenishment control.
3. For Compliance, Traceability, and Audits
ERP for food processing companies supports regulatory compliance by maintaining traceability, quality records, and audit documentation. It enables faster recalls, easier inspections, and stronger control over food safety standards.
Read More: NetSuite for Food & Beverage Industry
Top ERP Platforms for the Food and Beverage Sector in 2026
Here is the list of some of the best ERPs and how they are efficient in managing everything-
1. VNMT Solutions
VNMT Solutions specializes in implementing NetSuite ERP, tailoring configurations to match food and beverage production processes. VNMT Solutions caters to the following types of businesses:
- Batch and lot traceability for regulatory requirements.
- Managing Expiry Dates and Shelf Life.
- Enhanced NetSuite Inventory Management for Perishable Items.
- Demand planning and procurement optimization.
- Consolidated financial statements and operations involving multiple entities.
For food-related businesses in Australia and the USA, VNMT Solutions has industry expertise that ensures support for current and future businesses operating with the NetSuite ERP manufacturing solution.
2. SAP S/4 HANA
SAP S/4 HANA is typically used in the food industry for complex global chains of large food enterprises. SAP S/4 HANA comes with advanced production planning, business analytics, and enterprise standardization. Because of its high cost as compared with others and the complexity in its implementation process, this technology is only suited for large-scale manufacturers.
3. Infor CloudSuite
Infor CloudSuite is an industry solution for process manufacturers. It is more specifically designed for recipes, quality, and value chains. The industry solution is ideal for the food industry.
4. Microsoft Dynamics 365
Microsoft Dynamics 365 offers adaptable ERP solutions, robust financial management solutions, and effective operations management. Coupled with its industry solutions, it is capable of handling the process of batch manufacturing and inventory management. Mostly, it is used by companies in the food industry. They use Microsoft tools.
5. Deacom ERP
Deacom is an ERP system with manufacturing, CRM, and accounting capabilities. It has complete integration. Deacom targets mid-sized food and beverage companies that prefer simplicity and do not want the complexity of integrating their systems.
6. BatchMaster ERP
BatchMaster is formula-based manufacturing software. It provides facilities for managing the batch, documentation, and quality control aspects, and can also be used for food processing-related organizations.
7. Sage X3
Sage X3 consists of modules, including the management of inventory, production management, and management of government requirements. Sage X3 is usually implemented in small, medium, and large food companies.
8. Plex Manufacturing Cloud
Plex is an integration of an ERP, an MEX, and an IQM. Plex is useful for giving visibility into production and is helpful for plant-floor-centric manufacturers.
9. Aptean Food & Beverage ERP
Aptean is another ERP solutions provider, specifically geared towards the food and beverage industry. They focus on traceability, shelf-life management, and quality control.
10. Odoo ERP
It is an ERP that provides modulation for food production. It is highly appreciated by all entrepreneurs who are looking for flexibility and are cost-effective, although it requires modulation.
Why Choose VNMT Solutions for NetSuite ERP Implementation
In 2026, ERP will no longer be optional for the food and beverage industry. Real value comes from working with a partner that understands food manufacturing processes, regulatory requirements, and system integration in depth. VNMT Solutions brings proven NetSuite manufacturing expertise, with hands-on experience in supporting compliance across Australia and the USA.
Beyond NetSuite ERP implementation, VNMT provides ongoing optimisation and post-go-live support to ensure long-term performance. To stay updated on ERP best practices, connect with VNMT Solutions on LinkedIn. You can also get the detailed tips and lessons. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for practical insights and implementation guidance.
