🐾 The Pet Industry Today: Growth, Challenges & Strategic Opportunities

The pet industry remains one of the most dynamic consumer sectors globally, with sustained growth even in uncertain economic times. In 2024, the global pet care market was valued at over $275 billion and is projected to exceed $350 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of ~5–6%.

What’s behind this resilience? A deep transformation in consumer behavior. Pets are family members, and their wellbeing is now a household priority.

🔑 Key Trends Shaping the Market

📌 Premiumization & Humanization

• Global sales of premium and super-premium pet food are growing faster (+8% YoY) than economy products.

• Functional food & supplements addressing digestion, mobility, or immunity are capturing market share.

• Pet parents are willing to spend 20–30% more for products that mirror human nutrition standards.

  
  

📌 Private Label Growth

• Private label pet food in Europe already represents 25–30% of retail sales.

• Retailers are investing in quality and branding to compete directly with established manufacturers.

• Strategic partnerships with reliable producers are increasingly valuable.

  
  

📌 Digital Acceleration

• E-commerce accounts for ~25% of pet food sales in Western Europe and is expected to grow further.

• Subscription models and D2C (direct-to-consumer) approaches strengthen customer loyalty.

• Brands without strong digital visibility risk market irrelevance.

  
  

📌 Sustainability as a Differentiator

• 70% of millennial pet owners say they prefer eco-friendly packaging and ethically sourced ingredients.

• Companies that fail to address sustainability may struggle with long-term brand loyalty.

  
  

📌 Global Expansion

• Markets in Eastern Europe, Asia, and the Middle East are seeing double-digit annual growth.

• Export-oriented brands gain a competitive advantage by diversifying geographically.

  
  

🎯 Strategic Implications for Brands & Distributors

1. Adapt your portfolio: Focus on premium and functional products that reflect human health trends.

2. Build digital-first strategies: Online distribution and social media presence are not optional anymore.

3. Invest in sustainability: From packaging to sourcing, green choices are now a business imperative.

4. Leverage partnerships: Collaborating with brokers, agents, and distributors accelerates entry into new markets.

5. Explore private label: Strong demand from retailers creates opportunities for contract manufacturing.

   
   

🌍 Our Perspective at Petfood Brokers

Through our global B2B exhibition platform ONE PLACE, already hosting 100+ international brands, we see clear signs of where the industry is heading:

• Buyers are more selective, searching for brands that combine innovation, value, and sustainability.

• Manufacturers need agility and market knowledge to expand internationally.

• Success in the coming years will be defined by strategic collaboration, digital readiness, and consumer trust.

  
  

💡 The pet industry is evolving rapidly. The question for every brand today is not if they should adapt, but how fast.

2024 what we saw... in Pet Industry!

In 2024, the global pet industry is projected to continue its significant growth, driven by several factors and emerging trends:

1. Market Growth

• The global pet market is expected to reach over $30 billion in key regions, particularly in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. Pet ownership is rising globally, fueled by more people adopting pets post-pandemic. This surge is seen in both traditional pet products and services.

• Pet food continues to dominate the industry, with premium products such as organic, natural, and customized pet foods gaining traction.

  
  

2. Humanization of Pets

• Pets are being increasingly viewed as family members, leading to a growing demand for high-quality products, including pet wellness items, health supplements, and even pet therapy services. This trend is seen especially in developed markets, where pet owners are spending more on their pets’ emotional and physical well-being.

• Pet fashion and luxury items like high-end bedding, personalized accessories, and even "paw-scriptions" for pet health are becoming popular.

  
  

3. Sustainability

• There is a heightened focus on eco-friendly pet products, with sustainable packaging, organic pet foods, and eco-conscious toys becoming more prominent. Consumers are also looking for brands with ethical practices, especially concerning ingredient sourcing and manufacturing.

• Plant-based and insect-based foods are gaining popularity as sustainable alternatives to traditional meat-based pet foods.

  
  

4. Pet Tech and Wearables

• The pet tech market is booming, including GPS trackers, health monitors, and interactive cameras. These devices allow pet owners to monitor their pets’ health, activities, and even communicate with them remotely.

• Pet DNA testing and health diagnostics are also growing, enabling owners to better understand their pets' genetic backgrounds and health needs.

  
  

5. Health and Wellness

• Veterinary care is a high-growth segment, with telemedicine and vet tech services becoming increasingly popular. The demand for preventive care (e.g., vaccines, dental care) and pet insurance is also increasing as pet owners become more proactive about their pets' health.

• The aging pet population is driving demand for products tailored to senior pets, such as joint health supplements and senior pet foods.

  
  

6. Services Expansion

• Pet grooming, boarding, daycare, and training services are expanding globally, driven by an increase in pet ownership. Additionally, there is a rise in pet-friendly travel, leading to more options for vacationing with pets.

• Pet-sitting services, especially with an increase in remote work, have become more widely available across major cities worldwide.

  
  

7. Global Market Trends

• Asia-Pacific is becoming an important region in the pet industry, with pet ownership rapidly increasing in countries like China and India. This is spurred by rising disposable incomes and changing cultural attitudes toward pets.

• Europe and North America continue to be leading markets, with strong trends in luxury pet products, health, and wellness services.

  
  

Conclusion

The global pet industry in 2024 is poised for continued growth, driven by trends in sustainability, health and wellness, technology, and the humanization of pets. Innovation and premium offerings are expected to dominate, with significant contributions from emerging markets in Asia and Latin America.

PetFoodBrokers.com

Theodore Chalkidis

InterPetFest 2025

Vietnam's most anticipated B2B2C Pet event for 2025. Why?

- The ONLY pet event in Vietnam that is SOLELY about pets. InterPetFest guarantees a 100% exhibition space dedicated to showcasing pet-related products, services, and goods.

- InterPetFest, the biggest ONE-STOP-PET EVENT, links your company with potential importers, distributors, buyers, retailers, industry experts, legal consultants for the pet sector, pet custom experts, law firms, marketing agencies and consumers. Market information is also supported by InterPetFest.

- In several APAC nations, B2B2C pet events have been shown to be the most suitable concept.

- For the FIRST time, starting from 2025, pets are permitted inside SECC, Vietnam's most up-to-date and expert display venue.

- Since 2018, the organizers have been holding numerous local pet events under names: Vietnam Pet Festival, Pet Perfect Pet Festival Dam Sen. Beginning in 2025, we decide to expand it INTERNATIONALLY under the name InterPetFest.

More details about  InterPetFest 2025 :

Exhibit items:

🐾 Pet Food & Treats 🎾 Pet Toys & Accessories 🏨 Pet Hotels & Transportation 💊 Pet Health & Medicine ✂️ Pet Care & Grooming

🏪 Pet Shops  🔧 Pet Equipment & Technology 📚 Education & Training 🐶 Breeders

Attendees: 3,000+ pet shops/clinics/spas/whole buyers, 100+ main importers/ distributors from Indochina, and 10,000+ Pet owners. These are significant numbers for the Vietnam pet market.

Exhibitors: InterPetFest will cover 5,000sqm at the most professional exhibition center in Vietnam: SECC, will present 200 B2B booths, and 50 B2C booths.

What InterPetFest can provide to our exhibitors:

- Exhibitors connect with 3.000 local importers, main distributors, business seekers, pet shops/ clinics/ spas, and whole buyers/ sellers in Vietnam.

- InterPetFest also hosts overseas buyer delegations, with a total of 100+ Buyers from Indochina countries. InterPetFest provides our exhibitors opportunities to get biz opportunities for Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia markets

- With 10.000 Pet owners visiting the event during 3 days, InterPetFest is the best place to improve your brand awareness to consumers.

- The best place to do market research, to understand the local market, trends, consumer behavior, to do product launching, to position your brands at the largest pet event in Vietnam.

- At InterPetFest, exhibitors meet all key people of the industry, connect for business info, find out legal policies… get real chances to settle your business in Vietnam.

Why InterPetFest is a phenomenon in Vietnam:

1. The first time Pets are allowed to enter SECC, the largest, air-conned, professional venue of Vietnam.

2. Within InterPetFest Vietnam 2025 , there are activities:

- Vietnam SECC Grand Dog Show licensed by FCI (The championship titles are recognized in Asia, Oceania, Africa)

- Vietnam Small Animal Vet Experts Conference : 2 days conference -The largest pre-paid registration conference with 320 vets