News

The global kamado grill market continues to outpace the broader outdoor cooking sector, driven by rising consumer interest in wood-fired cooking, low-and-slow smoking, and premium outdoor living products. For distributors and importers, staying ahead of emerging trends helps optimize product assortments and capture new market segments. Here are the defining trends shaping the kamado industry through 2027 and what they mean for your business.
1. Commercial Foodservice Adoption Accelerates
The fastest-growing segment of the kamado market is no longer residential backyard use—it’s commercial foodservice. Restaurants, resorts, breweries, and catering companies are increasingly adopting kamado grills as signature cooking equipment.
Drivers of this shift include:
Consumer demand for wood-fired and artisan-style menu items
Lower operating costs compared to commercial gas or wood-fired ovens
Versatility across smoking, grilling, roasting, and pizza applications
Visual appeal for open-kitchen and patio dining concepts
Industry data shows commercial kamado sales growing at 18% annually, more than double the residential segment growth rate. For distributors, this means expanding into foodservice channels with purpose-built commercial models, rather than relying solely on retail residential sales.
2. Sustainability & Regulatory Compliance Drive Product Design
New environmental regulations and buyer demand for sustainable products are reshaping kamado manufacturing and packaging.
In the EU, the PPWR regulation is forcing manufacturers to redesign packaging for recyclability and waste reduction. In North America, retailers are increasingly requiring ESG reporting and sustainable sourcing documentation from suppliers. Beyond packaging, there is growing demand for:
Fuel-efficient designs that reduce charcoal consumption
Long-lasting products that reduce replacement waste
Non-toxic, food-safe materials with full transparency
Recyclable or biodegradable packaging solutions
Distributors who prioritize compliant, sustainable product lines will gain a competitive advantage as regulations tighten and buyers increasingly factor sustainability into purchasing decisions.
3. Smart Features & Modular Design Gain Traction
While traditional kamado grills are purely mechanical, smart features are beginning to enter the market, particularly at the premium end.
The most in-demand smart upgrades include:
Digital temperature controllers with automatic vent adjustment
WiFi and app connectivity for remote monitoring
Programmable cook profiles for consistent results
Integrated meat thermometers with alert systems
Alongside smart features, modular design is growing in popularity. Buyers want grills that can be upgraded with additional accessories over time—pizza stones, extended racks, rotisserie kits, and insulation blankets—rather than replacing the entire unit. This creates ongoing accessory revenue streams for distributors beyond the initial grill sale.
4. Private Label & Custom Branding Continues to Expand
Private label kamado grills are growing faster than branded products in many markets. Wholesalers, retailers, and restaurant supply companies are increasingly building their own brand of outdoor cooking equipment to increase margins and differentiate from competitors.
This trend is strongest in Europe and North America, where established outdoor living brands are expanding their product assortments without investing in manufacturing. Customization options go beyond logos to include custom colors, exclusive configurations, and branded packaging.
For manufacturers, this means flexible OEM/ODM capabilities and low MOQ options are becoming critical competitive factors.
Key Opportunities for Distributors
Expand into commercial channels: Develop foodservice-focused product lines and sales strategies
Build sustainable assortments: Prioritize PPWR-compliant, fuel-efficient models
Add accessory ecosystems: Increase recurring revenue with compatible upgrade parts
Offer private label programs: Capture margin and loyalty from brand-focused buyers
How Auplex Kamado Is Positioned for the Future
We are proactively adapting to these industry trends to support our distributor partners:
Expanding commercial-grade product line with heavy-duty configurations
Upgrading all packaging to meet PPWR and global sustainability standards
Developing smart temperature control accessories for retrofitting and new models
Scaling OEM/private label capabilities with flexible MOQ and fast lead times
Investing in ceramic formulation research for improved efficiency and durability
Our goal is to provide our partners with products that not only meet current market demands, but are also built for the future of the industry.
If you want to discuss how to position your product assortment for 2026-2027 growth, contact our market development team for a free strategy consultation.